Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASMARA1035
2006-12-15 08:57:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:  

GSE ARRESTS THE PARENTS AND SPOUSES OF NATIONAL

Tags:  PHUM PGOV ER 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAE #1035 3490857
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 150857Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8588
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 6030
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0199
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 2909
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1268
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1447
RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 001035 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV ER
SUBJECT: GSE ARRESTS THE PARENTS AND SPOUSES OF NATIONAL
SERVICE EVADERS


Classified By: AMB. Scott H. DeLisi for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 001035

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHERS, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV ER
SUBJECT: GSE ARRESTS THE PARENTS AND SPOUSES OF NATIONAL
SERVICE EVADERS


Classified By: AMB. Scott H. DeLisi for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) Continuing its intimidation tactics, the Government of
Eritrea(GSE) has initiated a large scale round-up of the
parents and spouses of Eritreans who have escaped from
Eritrea. On December 8, within Asmara and in nearby towns,
the GSE commenced nighttime roundups of family members of
individuals whom the GSE labels "national service evaders."
In the town of Tsaeda Christian, located just outside of
Asmara, as many as 50 residents reportedly were arrested on
December 12th. Since December 8, the GSE has arrested at
least 500 parents and spouses. These parents and spouses
remain in detention at police stations throughout the greater
Asmara area awaiting review and processing.


2. (U) During the summer of 2005, the GSE began arresting the
parents of children who fled the country and insisted on a
payment of a 50,000 nakfa bond (USD 3334) for each "missing"
child. For many families this amount was exorbitant. For
some families unable to pay, a parent was held by authorities
for an extended period of time. In towns outside of Asmara,
larger scale round-ups or "giffas" (meaning "to fish with a
large net" in Tigrinyan) became regular practice, while in
Asmara the GSE targeted specific families. An Eritrean noted
to Poloff that with the current round-up there were two
differences. First, the GSE began targeting the spouses of
Eritreans who have fled. Second, this was the first large
scale round-up in the Asmara area. In the past these types
of round-ups occurred only in areas outside of the capital
city. The GSE has also established "a payment plan" for
families who do not have 50,000 nakfa readily available.
According to him, families now pay what they can at the time
of processing and then are required to pay a certain amount
each month until the entire amount is paid off.


3. (C) The legal authority for arresting family members of
individuals who have fled Eritrea ) illegally or legally -
and not returned is not addressed in any Eritrean law or
policy. Nonetheless, it has become an accepted practice and
the GSE appears to be stepping up its efforts. An Eritrean
in national service told Poloff the GSE now requires the
parent or spouse of national service workers in every
government ministry to sign a form as a type of "bond." The
form provides the parent's/spouse's contact information in
the event that their child/spouse in the national service
departs Eritrea. Despite greater efforts to catch national
service evaders, President Isaias Afwerki reportedly claims
to be ignorant of this initiative. One Embassy staff heard
that during a community meeting held in Gash Barka with the
President, an Eritrean woman asked about GSE practice of
arresting the families of alleged national service evaders.
President Isaias claimed no knowledge of the issue and told
her he would "look into it."


4. (U) Comment: The GSE continues to pursue a strategy of
intimidation toward its citizens. Given the level of
visibility within the GSE bureaucracy for what appears to be
an increasingly institutionalized practice, President Isaias
must be not only fully aware, but also have approved, these
actions. While holding parents and spouses responsible for
one's actions may cause some to think twice about leaving,
Eritreans nonetheless continue to flee across the borders to
Ethiopia and Sudan. With few economic opportunities and
local fears of a possible war, the GSE,s tactics are
unlikely to deter individuals from trying to leave
especially, as in many cases, the parents themselves
encourage the departure so as to keep their child out of the
military. End Comment.
DELISI