Eritrea-Sweden Association in Gothenburg Celebrates 27th Eritrean Independence Day
2018-05-29 19:44:40 Written by EPDP Information Office Published in English Articles Read 2530 times-
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On 24 May 2018, the Eritrean-Swedish Solidarity Association (Eritrean in Our Hearts) colourfully celebrated the 27th anniversary of Eritrean Independence Day and the second anniversary of the association's founding congress. Association President Tomas Magnusson warmly welcomed Swedish and Eritrean participants at the anniversary and wished good days ahead for Eritrea and its people.
Mr. Magnusson then invited Association Board member Zehaie Keleta to the podium to speak about Eritrea since its independence. At the occasion, the Hon. Shadiye Haidari, Swedish Parliament member from the Swedish Social Democratic Party, and her spouse presented the Eritrean speaker with a bouquet of red roses to congratulate all Eritreans on this historic day. Also presenting white roses to Mr. Zehaie Keleta was a representative the women's wing of the Swedish Peace Society.
In his speech, Mr. Zehaie Keleta mentioned some of extraordinary sacrifices of the Eritrean people in their prolonged 30-year struggle and the tragic experiences of this heroic people in the past 27 years under the dictatorial regime.
The keynote speaker narrated in great detail the human rights abuses in the country which is keeping thousands in its 364 prisons, including 29 journalists, 11 members of parliament and most senior government officials. He also explained the horrible experiences in the Sinai and Sahara deserts by young Eritreans fleeing from the limitless violations of political and human rights by the criminal regime in Eritrea.
Swedish MP Shadiye Haidari acknowledged her full awareness about the 2% tax and related extortions of Eritrean regime agents in Sweden and said their viewpoints on the matter have been passed to the Swedish Foreign Minister.
Following a reception accompanied by the anniversary cake plus Eritrean himbasha and kicha, the Eritrean-Swedish Association held its regular congress and at the end elected a seven-person committee to lead the solidarity groups for 2018-2019.
