Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia demonstrate supporting UN COIE

The community of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia on Thursday staged a demonstration in front of the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, in support of findings and recommendations of the UN Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea (COIE).

"We are gathered here today to give our strong support for the Commission's more rigorous findings and recommendations," said a statement from the community addressed to Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the AU Commission.

"The COIE findings have established what we, the victims, had already known and felt for years," the statement said.

"The COIE has now independently verified allegations that the Eritrean government officials have committed crimes against humanity and that they should be held responsible," said the statement.

"We believe that you recognize these injustices committed in Eritrea are indeed committed in the whole of Africa. And we invoke your responsibility to address, promote and protect human rights in Africa by condemning the grave violation of human rights thus ending impunity in Eritrea," the statement said.

On the occasion, representatives of the demonstrators also handed over a petition to AU representatives from the AU Political Affairs Department, namely John Ikubaje, and Nshimba Michel, a humanitarian and refugees expert. Endit