ERITREAN SEEKS REFUGE AT EMBASSY BEIJING, REFERRED

S E C R E T BEIJING 002757

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/EAP CA, G, PRM, EAP, EAP/CM
GENEVA FOR STORELLA
BANGKOK FOR REFCOORD
CONSULATES FOR RSO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/25/2017
TAGS: ASEC CH PREF PREL
SUBJECT: ERITREAN SEEKS REFUGE AT EMBASSY BEIJING, REFERRED
TO UNHCR

Classified By: REGIONAL SECURITY OFFICER ROBERT A. ECKERT.
REASONS, 1.4 (b/d)


1. (S/NF) Summary: In the early morning hours of April 20 a
man telephoned the Embassy seeking assistance. He said he
was a member of an Eritrean delegation visiting China and
believed he would be in danger if he returned to his country.
After a face to face discussion with the man and RSO
consultations with the Political section he was referred to
the Beijing office of the United Nations High Commission on
Refugees (UNHCR). SIMO was notified. End Summary


2. (S/NF) A man telephoned Post One of US Embassy Beijing on
April 20, at approximately 0120 hours seeking assistance. He
stated he was a member of a delegation from a third country
visiting China and he feared returning to his home country.
The Marine followed the regular procedures, asked him to
call back and then notified the pertinent duty officers.
Members of both RSO and SIMO responded. It was determined he
was in Beijing, believed his life to be in danger if he
returned to his country and could not be contacted during
normal business hours. A location in Beijing away from any
US Facilities was selected to meet him and gather additional
details face to face rather than over the phone.


3. (S/NF) At approximately 0300 hours, the face to face
meeting occurred between the man and an Assistant Regional
Security Officer. It was found that the man was a political
officer and delegation member from Eritrea who had been
invited to China. The man,s name is HAILESLASSIE, Mahari,
born 05/14/1974 in Eritrea. He did not have a passport with
him as it was held by his delegation security officer. He
stated he is assigned to teach Political Thought and
Economics Through Central Planning to political cadres in
Eritrea. The delegation was invited by the Chinese Protocol
Bureau of the International Department of the Central
Committee of the Communist Party. He stated he was scheduled
to depart Beijing at noon of the same day.


4. (S/NF) As a student in 2000, Mr. HAILESLASSIE was
arrested, jailed, and put in prison for three months for his
activities supporting governmental reform in Eritrea. He
said while he was in prison he was tortured. As a college
graduate he was given a job in the government but added he
had been under surveillance ever since being released from
prison. He noted the surveillance had become more severe in
the last two years. He stated that he had made comments in
China that had been questioned by the Eritrean delegation
Security officer. This situation, combined with the fact that
the security officer held his passport, caused him to fear
for his life upon return to Eritrea. He asked for asylum in
the US. The ARSO informed him of U.S. procedures for asylum
cases.


5. (S/NF) SIMO declined any contact with the person. After
RSO consultation with a member of the political section it
was decided to follow standard practice and refer him to the
UNHCR. He was provided with detailed instructions on when,
where, and how to contact the Beijing office of the UNHCR.


6. (U) Beijing POC is ARSO Eric Hyde.
RANDT