DEADLY FORCE POLICY FOR ERITREANS ATTEMPTING TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000634

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/IP/ITA, AF/E
LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/25/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ASEC ER
SUBJECT: DEADLY FORCE POLICY FOR ERITREANS ATTEMPTING TO
FLEE ERITREA

Classified By: RSO Sean McClanahan for Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C) SUMMARY AND COMMENT: Embassy Source reported to RSO
that a local party representative for the People's Front for
Democracy and Justice (PFDJ),in a monthly meeting with PFDJ
party members, stated that the Government of the State of
Eritrea (GSE),had instituted a shoot-to-kill policy for any
Eritreans attempting to flee the country into Sudan or
Ethiopia. While post has been hearing stories over recent
months collaborating rumors that the GSE has sanctioned such
actions, this is the first report of an Eritrean official
publicly acknowledging that a policy is in place. Post
believes the PFDJ is openly communicating this information in
an effort to deter Eritreans from even contemplating fleeing
the country illegally. Source has proven a reliable reporter
in the past. END SUMMARY AND COMMENT.


2. (C) Embassy Source reported to RSO that a PFDJ party
representative, (name unknown),who covers Zoba 4 in Asmara
held a monthly public meeting on July 20 for party members of
this district. Source stated that a friend who had attended
the meeting told him that the PFDJ representative warned the
audience that the GSE had instituted a deadly force policy
and would shoot and kill any Eritreans attempting to flee to
Sudan or Ethiopia. Source's friend noted that the audience
was comprised mostly of fathers and mothers and believed the
statement was meant as a warning particularly directed at
parents of children who have reached the national service
draft age. The PFDJ representative stated the Eritrean
Defense Forces had increased its military presence and
patrols along the border and had already killed five
Eritreans attempting to flee to Sudan.


3. (C) Source stated it is common knowledge in Eritrea that
many people are fleeing Eritrea to avoid being forcibly
drafted into the national service, which can last for an
indefinite amount of time. He commented that the military
roundups that occur on a regular basis in Asmara are a result
of the high number of Eritreans who are deserting from
national service and attempting to flee the country.


4. (C) Background Note: The PFDJ has broken Asmara into 4
districts called zobas, which cover the SE, SW, NE and NW
portions of the city. The PFDJ has representatives in each
district in Asmara and reportedly holds monthly meetings to
distribute government information, propaganda and updates on
the situation in Eritrea to PFDJ party members. Zoba 4 is
the SE portion of Asmara near the Kahawta neighborhood.
Although there is a city government in Asmara that is
organized like a city council in the U.S., it is the PFDJ
that holds power. Source equated membership in the PFDJ to
being a member of the Communist Party in the former Soviet
Union. Party members receive social benefits such as ration
coupons, whereas non-members are denied access to these
items. Many Eritreans therefore become members, although
they are not true supporters of the PFDJ. Source said that
attendance at these monthly meetings is mandatory and if a
family representative does not attend, the family is refused
ration coupons. End Note.
MCINTYRE