| Murder on the streets of Asmara
Earlier this week, on Sunday 3 April, the brutal Eritrean regime murdered tens of its own citizens. Forced conscripts who jumped from an army convoy were shot in cold blood and civilians who tried to help faced the same murderous response. No one knows exactly how many people have been murdered by the Eritrea regime this time but reliable reports say that nearly 30 conscripts were killed or injured, two civilians have been killed and an unknown number injured.
Reports from Eritrea say that this group of conscripts – victims of the indefinite national service imposed by the Isaias regime – were being driven to one of the slave labour camps.With the hope of escaping this state sanctioned slavery tens of these conscripts tried to escape the convoy as it was stopped in the heart of Asmara. Troops loyal to the regime responded by firing indiscriminately into the crowds.
Tragically, the BBC has reported, the civilian casualties came when “some of the recruits’ friends and family used a bus to block the road to help them escape”.
Those injured were taken to hospital where many sadly died of their injuries. Those who survived are reported to be under heavy guard.
Just this afternoon, the regime has acknowledged the deaths. The Government’s spokesperson has claimed two “national service members died…when they jumped and fell from military trucks.” A paltry response to the murder of young Eritreans.
As repugnant as these actions are and as tragic as it is to see young Eritreans murdered in their own capital city by their own government, it’s happened before and it will happen again. Those of us who care about the future of Eritrea and of Eritreans must now renew our efforts to support the Eritrean people and promote their universally recognised human rights.
In the coming days there is a vigil being held by members of the diaspora in London, UK.
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Security forces in Eritrea’s capital Asmara have killed several young conscripts who tried to escape the convoy they were travelling in, according to opposition media outlets.
There were also civilian casualties after some of the recruits’ friends and family used a bus to block the road to help them escape, according to the unconfirmed reports.
Conscription in Eritrea is compulsory.
The Eritrean authorities have not commented on the alleged incident.
Rights groups consider Eritrea to be one of the world’s most repressive states.
In 2015, it ranked bottom of the World Press Freedom Index, published by media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Conscription in Eritrea can last for decades and is one of the main reasons tens of thousands flee the country every year.
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BBC: Eritrean army conscripts ‘killed in Asmara escape bid’ — 44 Comments