Letter Appeal to Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali

Appeal Letter

Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali

Ethiopian Prime Minister

Mister President,

as you certainly know, the more than 100,000 Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers present in Ethiopia have found themselves involved in spite of themselves in the war that has been going on for over a year. The worst fate is certainly that experienced by the tens of thousands hosted in the reception centers of the Tigrinya region, who - especially in Hitsats and Shimelba - ended up on the line of fire, suffering deaths, killings, bullying and kidnappings. The recent bombings in the vicinity of the profege camps in Mai Ayni - Shire and Dedebit which killed many civilians including Eritrean refugees and children is a cause for anguish for all of us. However, there are many others who, although far from the fighting, have undergone and are still undergoing incomprehensible treatment and suffering, certainly without any justification.

I refer, in particular, to a numerous series of arrests and arrests in different parts of the country but above all in Addis Ababa. I learned of it following several requests for help that I received directly or through relatives of the victims. These are people who have sometimes been living in Ethiopia for years and who have worked hard to integrate into the host society, to build a new life and a better future. In other words, people who felt in Ethiopia as in a second homeland.

One of the latest cases is from a few days ago. I understand that dozens of young refugees have been arrested by the security forces as suspected "Tigrinya rebels" or in any case as supporters and sympathizers of the TPLF, although in reality they have never had any contact with this political group. As far as I know, their only "fault" is actually that of speaking Tigrinya. That's right: the basis of the arrest is concretely only that their mother tongue, as for many other Eritreans, is precisely Tigrinya. Yet - they said - this was enough to end up under accusation while it took a long and painful process to prove their total innocence.

Here, I understand that there are similar cases in large numbers. It is to be assumed that, not being a dramatic issue like that of the refugee camps mentioned, for example, this problem may not have come to your attention. I thought it appropriate, then, to report it directly to his person, sure that he will want to remedy it, freeing all those who find themselves in this painful condition.

I realize that, in a dramatic situation such as that of a war, this problem may seem "minor". But I don't think there are "minor problems" when it comes to a person's life anyway. Or rather: of many people. Indeed, often high and inalienable values ​​and concepts, such as justice and respect for the freedom and rights of all, arise and draw strength precisely from apparently minor issues and actions.

I trust that he will listen to my appeal. And I greet you with the best wish: that the war will end as soon as possible and that the wounds it has left and is leaving be healed as soon as possible. Ethiopia, Eritrea, the entire Horn of Africa, where your country has always played a fundamental role of guide and example, need it for a future of friendship and progress. Taking into account what I have written to you can be a first step in this direction.

Fr. Mussie Zerai Dr. H.C.

Rome, January 10, 2022