http://ascenteq.com/project/epdp

“Dictatorships are never as strong as they think they are, and people are never as weak as they think they are,”

                                    Gene Sharp

Over 150 Eritreans from all walks of life, converged into down town Oakland, California, to listen to Dr. Daniel Rezene and Maron Estifanos on their experience on UN Commission of Inquiry, Geneva demonstration, and human traffickers. The meeting was hosted by Bay Area Eritreans for Democratic Change (BAEDC aka DAERO).

Dr. Daniel took the stage first with his confident and eloquent speech on his experience with Commission of Inquiry (COI) and the Geneva demonstration. He articulated the background of the effort taken by many Eritreans to the UN Human Rights Commission in the beginning of the twenty first century. He also spoke in detail about the COI process and how we get to where are now. Over six hundred well documented cases were collected from Eritrean citizens on the abuses that heaped to them by the repressive government. The commission will report its final findings in June of 2016, and he reminded to the audience that, what the COI is doing is an added value to our core fight against injustice. He said we shouldn’t stop fighting or depend only on the COI work.

The Geneva demonstration is a chapter that all opposition camp around the globe should take a lesson. The Dr. detailed on the planning and execution aspect of the project. He admitted it had a shaky start at first, and the committee restarted the whole process again, which helped them to reap a very successful outcome. It is very encouraging to learn, all their meeting was done via technology (paltalk etc.). The Dr. suggested formidable and permanent committees are needed for tangible results. He also call on attendees to participate in the upcoming New York demonstration.

Meron Estifanos on her part spoke very eloquently and emotionally on the Eritrean people’s plight. She also spoke in detail about the encounters they face to reach their dream destination. The traffickers lured their prey by offering zero down payment until Libya. She said the traffickers are so bold that they move money in bulk of tenth of thousands from one bank to the other without any concern. They even boast that they have agents all over the world; Asmara, USA, Canada, Europe, Saudi, etc. She spoke about specifics that happened in Sinai by the Bedouin, in track to Libya by ISIS and Chadian squads, and in the last two months pirates in the Mediterranean.   

Both Dr. Daniel and Meron reminded the audience to focus on the root cause of all the issue. It is the sitting dictatorship in Asmara that is causing the journey  to hell. Their message was to put aside all our differences and to focus only on toppling the evil system in Asmara.

It is worth mentioning also, Dr. Daniel and Meron explained the recent development on the conflict between them and sister Elsa Chirum. They said they have differences on work related issues, and they brought it to the surface after their effort failed to alter the situation. They reflected their high regard and respect for her great work that she has done, and they are ready at anytime to hash their issue with her and focus on their priority. 

In conclusion, the audience had a chance to ask questions and answers were given in detail. The BAEDC board did very good job in managing the logistics of the meeting. Both guests expressed their impression of the quantity and quality of the audience.