Ask the President: Why Human Trafficking?
February 6th, 2013 TesfaNews
<
http://www.tesfanews.net/archives/11786/acc775-pair-of-human-hands-wrapped-in-chains>
"We have detailed evidence and those who committed the crime should be held
accountable and the truth be known to the world."- President Isaias
By TesfaNews,
*As we all have* witnessed recently, hostilities towards the people and
government of Eritrea are escalating by the day with persistent campaign to
demonize the image of Eritrea. Also coincident was the
psychologicalwarfare on Eritrean youth. There have also been
suggestions accusing
Eritrea of “*human trafficking*” while Eritrea has been itself a victim of
human trafficking.
Why all these hostilities? What is the intended aim in the end? What do we
do on the public and diplomatic fronts to overcome these challenges?
The following was what President Isaias replied for that same question last
month during his annual new year interview with the national television. We
found it very important and timely to revisit his response as to give a
better picture on the subject matter.
*President Isaias<
http://www.shabait.com/categoryblog/12411-economic-development-means-promoting-the-standard-of-living-and-improving-the-quality-of-life-of-citizens-president-isaias-afwerki>
**: *
[…] If we ask why *human trafficking* was introduced into Eritrea, the
answer is simple.
It was introduced to sabotage the National Service programs by targeting
the *youth*, the working power. In their view, in order to create
opposition abroad the youth should flee the country first. To do that,
pictures were created, pictures that suggest that there are economic and
political woes in Eritrea but there are ample opportunities abroad.
Smuggling the youth was an organized trafficking. The *United Nations*, the
*International Red Cross* and other* non-governmental organizations* are
involved in it. They operated openly by stationing their camps in Ethiopia,
Sudan and other neighboring countries. Papers were facilitated to send
Eritreans abroad; this was never done for other people.
The aim at the end of this human trafficking is to weaken Eritrea by
filtering the youth out of the country and organizing it abroad as *
opposition*. All the existing intelligence agencies operating under the
cover of the UN and other non-governmental organizations did a lot of
damage backed up by the current technology. The head of these operations is
in *Sudan*, as it is easier to smuggle the youth into Sudan. One can go to
Ethiopia, Djibouti or even the sea but Sudan is the easiest. And these
organized operations have been there for over a decade.
Human trafficking is a crime by the laws of the UN. They claim “*they have
economic and political problems*.” But this is a *human trade*. It is
horrifying even to speak of the abomination of this trade. It put innocent
Eritreans into all kinds of misery. Not only those who *died and/or
disappeared* in the process, but even those who have got papers and left
abroad, are living in concentration camps. This was done to *prevent *them
from working and sending money to their families.
Therefore, the sole purpose of these operations was *to get the youth out
of their country and to organize them into oppositions* in short period of
time, as they all had taken military training. And it was further intended
to bring them *through **Ethiopia* and open another war. *But none of it
worked*.
There is no one that goes to betray his or her parents, people or country.
There could be a few but the tens of thousands that fell into the traps of
cross-border trafficking refused to comply with the offers given to them.
They are being subjected to numerous crimes as attempts are constantly made
to lure them to illegal contraband activities so as to deter them from
trying to find work, make a living, settle, and remit to their families. As
this is a crime even by international standards, *it remains the
responsibility of this nation, government and people to take this matter
seriously and hold those responsible accountable*.
There is nothing worse than human trafficking, as it steals the chances of
tens of thousands of youngsters. Wherever they are, one can hardly say that
these young people have a decent work and lead a good life. If you look at
it from a broader perspective, they have also lost their opportunities for
education and professionalism.
So human trafficking is more than just a cumulative crime, which is
aggravated when taking into consideration the political, *economic*, *
cultural* and *social opportunities* that the youngsters have lost. And to
hinder us from uttering these grievances, different attempts are constantly
made, such like the UNSC Sanctions resolution. But this crime* shall not
remain concealed* as we have *detailed information* of all the parties
involved.
Setting aside the intended politics and strategies, which need
investigation, this crime was committed against human rights. *Those who
committed the crime should be held accountable and the truth be known to
the world*.
The good thing is that, in spite of all the hardships and challenges they
face, the people that have been smuggled across the border remained loyal
to their people and country, which is a big blow to the criminals. When
looking back at history, the fact that a small country should be made to
face endless challenges for generations is not a coincidence. This people
will never fall victim to their devious schemes.
The traits of the subservient regimes and those of their sponsors pose two
threats: a people and nation that grows stronger on the one hand and
regimes that grow weaker and plummeting towards crises. And it is in an
attempt to change all this that we are being *victimized*. So where do we
stand? What lies ahead of us? We need to not only assess the years that
have passed but work harder knowing that* all issues will have to be dealt
with critically in 2013 and the years beyond*.
Source:
http://www.tesfanews.net/archives/11786
Received on Thu Feb 07 2013 - 21:06:09 EST
