Eritrea: What!? Legal Reform Process?

“Eritrea is pushing forward with the legal reform process. Consultations are being held at the grassroots level and with experts. Eritrea espouses the principle that a well-functioning justice system is a crucial component of development” (Shabait – ‘Statement by the Delegation of the State of Eritrea at the 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) 17 October- 6 November 2024, Banjul, The Gambia On agenda item 3. “Human Rights Situation in Africa” 19 October 2024’ 21.10.2024).

The citizens of Eritrea and everyone who resides in the State of Eritrea should wonder what is going on. Because the state is saying other things at international conferences than how they are acting at home. There is a lack of reality here and we all know it.

It isn’t like President Afewerki is willing or is a person of transparency or accountability. Neither does he have an open government or have independent government entities. No, everything is in his hands and his will is the law. Therefore, we are supposed to believe the Delegation to the ACHPR, which doesn’t seem legit. We can all see that.

After reading the quote from the statement that’s published on Shabait. Let us all dwell into the reality, which is so much more grim, shall we?

“The institutional and legal framework in Eritrea for the administration of justice remains inadequate to protect and uphold fundamental human rights. The absence of the rule of law and the lack of accountability for past and ongoing human rights violations continues to result in the entrenchment of impunity, lack of access to justice for victims and their families and the perpetuation of human rights violations. The Special Rapporteur encourages the Government to create efficient, responsive and transparent institutions that are governed by the rule of law” (…) “Despite the adoption of a constitution in 1997 outlining a framework for a multiparty democracy grounded in the rule of law and the separation of powers, the constitution has never been implemented. The President, Isaias Afwerki, has ruled the country since the formal recognition of Eritrea as an independent State, in 1993, without ever holding national elections, without an effective legislative body and without an independent judiciary. The judiciary lacks independence from the executive branch. Judges are appointed and removed by the President and follow the instructions of the Government. There are no constraints and no institutional checks and balances on the President’s power” (A/HRC/56/24 – Situation of human rights in Eritrea – Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker, 07.05.2024).

We can wonder what sort of reform that the President wants or has, as if we are supposed to believe a man that has all powers wants to give these away. No, he won’t relent or give them away now. No, we know that a man like Afewerki doesn’t have it in him. PIA and his party will rule without proper procedure or institutions, because if they have that. Then the President and all arms of government have to follow the law and act accordingly. Which is beyond comprehension.

This President and his inner circle isn’t interested in reforms of the judiciary or the legal reforms for that matter. That would weaken his power and take away the instruments that his currently holding. If the state was to reform the legal framework and the judiciary, which would mean to take away the powers of the President. That’s totally unlikely. Just like we are not seeing any election(s) coming anytime soon either. No, the PIA and the ruling regime aren’t interested in this. Therefore, I don’ know why the Shabait and the State of Eritrea tries to say this at an international conference. It is just lies and not even wise deception either. Peace.

Eritrea: Permanent Mission of the State of Eritrea to the United Nations, Geneva letter to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Filipo Grande (17.10.2024)

Eritrea: A tale of bravery that ended in death – Berhane Aberhe

The former finance minister of Eritrea, Berhane Aberhe died on the 20^th August 2024 in prison. As he awaited trial and sentencing for that matter. He lingered in detention and in jail for over years. He was arrested on the 17^th September 2018.

The former Minister released the critical book called “Eritrea My Country” in January of 2018. That book challenged the PFDJ, HIGDEF and PIA. They were all in thorns and couldn’t accept the message.

The Former Minister even dared to say that the President of Life, the tyrant of the Republic that he should resign and be detained at Arat Kilo immediately. Also, telling the PFDJ to lay down their tool and let a Political Power Transfer Coordinating Committee takes the reigns for a short amount of time. Just enough time to install and instil democracy again. After the recent regime haven’t had either and the President had consolidated all powers of the nation.

That is really a message that isn’t regular in Asmara. The President Afwerki isn’t used to this sort of criticism. As he is the demigod and the man above them all. His the guy that was able to gain control and never let it go. That’s who he is and he has ensured that every single mechanism, institution or such that is in his way – suddenly goes away or is silenced.

That’s why journalists, former central committee members of the EPLF and the former ones of the EPLF Politburo are either missing or behind bars. The ones who used know or have any say is either not there. The same with other important members of the PFDJ who is behind bars or in detention as well. They are all there… so they cannot challenge the President and his reign.

That’s why Berhane was behind bars from 17^th September 2018 to 20^th August 2024 without a trial, sentencing or anything of that matter. He was behind bars 2164 days without any charge or justification. Just a man who dared to speak out and release a book with his ideas.

All of those ideas aren’t maybe that useful or that insightful. Regardless of that, he had knowledge and was a prior insider. A man that was entrusted with offices and was even sent to speak for the nation at the United Nations in 2005. Therefore, he was a man that the President once saw fit.

We saw the fall out and the feud. The ones who goes after PIA are losing. He dared to challenge the President and telling him that he should be a felon. The former Minister told His Excellency that he deserved to be in prison and be detained. That’s what he did and that takes courage. Especially, when dissent and opposition isn’t allowed in the nation.

Berhane Aberhe was even brave enough to say it was a “mistake” to anoint and appoint Afwerki as the head. He called it a mistake to let him take over the party and give him the throne. Because, the party and the liberation front shouldn’t have done so. They thought they only did it for an interim period, but Afwerki always found “excuses” for not holding elections or creating representative democracy in the nation. As there was “wars” or even outside forces creating dangerous precedence, which made it impossible to hold these sorts of things. That’s what Aberhe saw and stated.

The writings of Berhane Aberhe was his final utterances. He dared to challenge Isaias Afwerki. A man who uses the state and the bondage of law against others. The man who has all the instruments of the state at his disposal and no one can keep him accountable. That man he faced heads on and he paid a price.

The price was his life. His family was touched too. His wife was detained and reported also a son was taken into custody. I don’t know their status or how they are living at the moment. However, I wouldn’t be hopeful. When they treat him like this and they want to send a message.

They could easily touch the rest and ensure their demise. As the President doesn’t accept any dissidents whatsoever. Peace.

Eritrea: One giant Independence Day porkies from Afwerki…

“As our security readiness to all potential hostilities remains intact, the priority of our priorities is, and remains, nation-building. We will thus continue to toil by expanding our development programmes; enhancing their effective implementation; continuously refining the plans charted out; mobilizing the necessary resources; making requisite adjustments and sacrifices; and, reinforcing our institutional capabilities and frameworks” – President Isaias Afwerki (24.05.2024).

Aye, aye… I don’t know about you… but the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) and PIA haven’t built a nation or prioritized nation building. No, that has been stalled and stopped in it’s tracks since Independence for 33 years.

That’s why 1997 Constitution has was ratified back in May 23^rd 1997 but was never put into force. In the same regard as the National Assembly haven’t met since February 2002. The nation have been independent since 24^th May 1994, but have chosen not make an official constitution and neither any sort of election.

The last election held in Eritrea goes back April 1993 when the nation voted for it’s independence, which it was in favour of. Since then it’s only recorded a National Assembly election in Februar 1994 and since then the elections has been suspended indefinitely. All legislative power has since then remained in the hands of the government, which means the President has all power over it.

As you see… when the PIA says on Independence that he prioritize nation-building. It is a lie. He never intended to do so and his records speaks of otherwise. If the President cared about nation building. The National Assembly and the Constitution would be active. They would discuss and find consensus for a better tomorrow. However, that is futile in Asmara. It is all in the hands of PIA.

The HighDef can speak differently, but these things just shows how things are wrong in Eritrea. How one man and his party rules without any checks-or-balances. He can do whatever he likes and no one can question him. There is no transparency or accountability, only his word and those words happens to become law as well.

That’s why it’s bold of the President to say that these things are an priority. When we know the gist and the truth. A man who cannot even enforce a Constitution after all these years. A man who cannot ensure the nation has elected representatives in their stead in a national assembly. That man is supposed to be concerned with nation building.

Who is he fooling here? Who believes this sort of nonsense?

Aye, aye? Do you?

I don’t don’t because it doesn’t make sense. Peace.

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