Ethiopian, Eritrean refugees deserve better treatment in Sudan

July 7, 2007 — The relationship between the people of Sudan and Ethiopia dates back to thousands of years. Despite occasional political differences and sometimes conflicts between successive governments, the relationship between the two people has never been affected and had always been nothing less than excellent. Without going too far back in history, if we examine their history since the second world war it can be characterized as a relationship bonded by a common culture, common security, shared natural resources, drinking from the same water, a liking to each others food and music.. One does not have to research a lot to understand how profound this bonding is. The streets of Khartoum, the towns of Gedraif, Port Sudan, Kassala, the bars, restaurants and public ceremonies in several Sudanese towns demonstrate how close the two people are. Nowadays it is common to have Ethiopian bands in Sudanese weddings. Many well to do Sudanese families employ Ethiopian or Eritrean maids or guards. Sudanese feel at home in Ethiopia and Eritrea and vice versa.

During the Second World War, Ethiopians fleeing the fascist invasion and persecution found refuge in Sudan, They were welcomed with open arms and lived in Sudan until the liberation, without ever feeling that they were indeed refugees. Ethiopian generals who led the liberation war were educated in Sudan military academy, then in Soba. After graduation they led Ethiopian patriots under Emperor Hiale Sellasie and the combined Sudanese and British forces. Emperor Haile Sellasie lived in Sudan for a long time prior to the final push to liberate Ethiopia. Thousands of Sudanese troops sacrificed their lives fighting for the liberation of Ethiopia from fascist Italy. The cemetery at Keren is a living testimony of this. More recently the Eritrean Liberation Front (EPLF) and the Tigray Liberation Front (TPLF) which is currently in power in Ethiopia, were trained and oragnised in Sudan. They were both supported and encouraged by the then governments and Sudan was used as the staging ground for these guerrilla forces which eventually overcame the government forces and created a new reality in Ethiopia and Eritrea. However misguided these polices of arming and supporting guerilla movements against a neighboring country, they may have been, the relationship between the two people remained unaffected. The armed guerillas and their families lived in peace welcomed by the people and without being harassed by the government. Ethiopians and Eritreans are deeply grateful for this unconditional non political affection and sympathy accorded to them by the people of Sudan

However, in the last few years there are disturbing signs that this compassion and traditional ties among the people of the three countries are being eroded through certain segments of Sudanese bureaucracy. None of us believe that the Sudanese government has instituted deliberate policy to intimidate and harass the Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees and migrant workers. There are currently thousands of Ethiopians and Eritreans who have crossed the borders in search of better life and or protection. Some come to Sudan for economic reasons and others come here for political reasons with the aim of being registered with the UNHCR and hopefully resettled in Europe, Canada or Australia. They work in restaurants, in individual homes as house maids, guards, in hair salons etc…Some use Sudan as transit point on their way to Mediterranean coasts with the intention of crossing over to one of the European countries. They come from diverse backgrounds and have different ambitions. But one thing is certain. Except perhaps a few, none are involved in criminal activities. They don’t rob, steal, cheat or beg. They work hard and live a decent life. They respect the law of the country and adjust to the culture and way of life of Sudanese..

It is true that most of the migrant workers cannot afford to pay the annual 400 dollars required by the government for the extension of their stay and work permit. Almost all the Ethiopians who enter Sudan do so with legal visas. But once they arrive, most find it difficult to extend their permits because they are required to pay 400 dollars every year. This is truly exorbitant for people who, if lucky, earn 100 or 150 dollars a month. It is very unfair to apply the same rules for an oil company executive from abroad seeking stay permit and an ordinary economic migrant who earns 100 or 150 dollars a month. Because of this, many of our people are being arrested and abused. The governments position is understandable but it is our opinion that this situation can be handled differently. It has now become common for Ethiopians and Eritrean homes to be raided and people arrested form the streets, work places and homes and herded like cattle and taken to unknown places, some deported and some released after some negotiations.

In reference to this people the question that concerned people ask is:

– Why is there no decent way of conducting inquiries on the status of these people besides raiding their homes, arresting them on the streets, beating and humiliating them?
– If the labors of these people are wanted and they have legally entered the country why is it not possible to fix a reasonable fee for their stay or work permits?

The second group of people are those who have come here for political reasons and who are registered as political refugees. Even though for the last several years Sudan has been hosting many kinds of political armed groups it is the common position of most Ethiopians living in Sudan now that it would be wrong to abuse the hospitality of this country and use Sudan once again as a staging place for armed struggle inside Ethiopia or Eritrea. Situations have changed and the only alternative to bringing about change is through the new political process and pressure.

Armed struggle is not an option and is furiously opposed by many decent Ethiopians and Eritreans across the world. However these dissidents some of whom have been here since the times of Haile Selasie, meet and discuss the political situation in their respective countries. To the best of our knowledge there are no armed and oragnised forces in Sudan operating against the security of Eritrea and Ethiopia. But this does not mean that there are no people who talk politics and discuss the prevailing situation in their countries. These discussions are held in their homes and in community gatherings and never go beyond that. Political refugees in Sudan have not even conducted any political demonstration against Ethiopia or Eritrea like they d so frequently in Europe and America. Why then are some simple activists who have done nothing more than probably talking about the politics in their own country , being arbitrarily arrested ,their homes raided and ransacked, beaten, abused and raped. The families of many of these helpless prisoners are not informed and they rot in jail without charges and without the knowledge sometimes of the senior government officials. Ethiopians and Sudanese people living in Sudan believe that these acts are very much un-Suadnses and should be rectified both for the sake of the helpless voiceless migrants and refugees and for the sake of the image of this country who all of us love and respect.

The question that is being asked regarding this group of people is:

– If there are some suspicious activities why are these people not inquired through the agency that protects the rights of refugees, the UNHCR?
– If the address of these dissidents are known, why are they not properly invited to report to the police and questioned properly?
– Why are the families not informed on their whereabouts?
– Why does not the government take actions regarding these arbitrary arrests?
– Why are rape cases in prison by prison guards not being investigated when the evidence has been brought to the attention of the government officials?
– Why are Sudanese officials so quiet on this shameful act by people who do not represent the true culture and traditional values of Sudan?
Should these inhuman acts be allowed to continue?

Please Sudanese people speak out and defend the rights of your brothers, sisters daughters and sons from your good neighbors.

Concerned members of the World Wide Association of Ethiopian an Eritrean Refugees
An association established to protects the rights of refugees under the Geneva Convention and International law of Human Rights.