GSE ABUSE EXTENDS BEYOND ERITREAN BORDERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000527

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E AND DRL
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2018
TAGS: SOCI PREL PHUM PGOV KE ER
SUBJECT: GSE ABUSE EXTENDS BEYOND ERITREAN BORDERS

REF: ASMARA 526

Classified By: Ambassador Ronald K. McMullen for reason 1.4(d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: The Government of the State of Eritrea (GSE)
maintains a tight watch over its diaspora community, using
its embassies as information-gathering hubs and its employees
as agents of harassment. Eritrean refugees in Nairobi
detailed a well-oiled system of monitoring and harassment
orchestrated by the Eritrean embassy there. End Summary.

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING
--------------


2. (C) Two Eritrean refugees described a system of monitoring
based out of the Eritrean embassy in Nairobi. The system
involves approximately 51 embassy-supported agents tasked
with collecting information on the Eritrean populace in
various ways. Methods used include serving as translators
for Eritrean visa applicants, interpreters for UNHCR
interviews, or even posing as refugees in the UNHCR refugee
camps. (Note: UNHCR admits to knowledge of Eritrean and
Ethiopian government spies in the refugee camps, but claims
it does not have the resources to root them out. End Note.)
The government monitors are tasked with collecting data on
all Eritreans in-country and reporting on dissidents. It is
unclear whether the monitors are actual embassy employees
with diplomatic status, are merely paid by the embassy, or
are simply Eritreans coerced into mandatory government
reporting.


3. (C) Primarily, the agents collect mobile numbers which the
embassy uses to send text messages advertising Eritrean
community meetings. The messages imply the meetingsOaOe
mandatoryG Ghose who do not show receive threatening phone
calls inquiring about their absence. Text messages are sent
from mobile number 254713111722. Messages that include the
phrase "Important Meeting" indicate a mandatory head count of
government supporters. The two refugees insist that most
Eritreans attend these meetings out of fear.

PARTIAL LIST OF SUSPECTED GOVERNMENT AGENTS
--------------


4. (C) The two Eritreans, who suffered verbal and physical
abuse from the Eritrean embassy (reftel),gave a partial
listing of Eritreans they suspect of being employed as
informants. PolOff has passed the relevant names to Embassy
Nairobi's RefCoord:

- Kiflom Hailemariam. One of the four attackers arrested by
the Kenyan Central Police Station on September 13 for his
physical assault on the former Orthodox bishop.

- Yitbarek Tekle. One of the four attackers arrested by the
Kenyan Central Police Station on September 13 for his
physical assault on the former Orthodox bishop.

- Berhane Woldemariam. Mobile number 0722113911. Allegedly
maintains cover as a truck driver and a UNHCR-registered
refugee.

- Eyuel Girmay. Serves as a UNHCR translator. Collects
information on Eritrean refugees.

- Senait Tkabo. Mobile number 0721396054. Allegedly travels
between Eritrean and Kenya in violation of her refugee status.

- Tesfu Gebregzabher. Mobile number 0720762342.

- Tesfatsion (last name unknown). Mobile number 0720382849.


5. (SBU) Note: Asmara PolOff Ajani Husbands developed this
report during a professional development TDY to Nairobi.
This cable was coordinated with Embassy Nairobi. End Note.
MCMULLEN