By Ibrahim A. Ibrahim,
THE independence of Eritrea is a result of ultimate sacrifices paid by the gallant citizens without any reservation. People paid what they own. Their life was given for the sake of the future of the nation and future generations. Within the country and in the Diasporas people did all what they can do to support the revered fight for independence and freedom.
Achieving independence was a long and very unforgiving path. The enemy of Eritrean independence was not only Ethiopia or as all Eritreans believed the leaders of Ethiopia, but the superpowers of both blocks East and West. Both blocks shared and stood together against our own God given right to live free in our own land.
The inhuman and grave violation of human rights put forward the nation of Eritrea in the bargaining table. It was given as reward for servitude to Ethiopia at the reign of the former king of Ethiopia Haile Selassie.
Haile Selassie (July 23, 1982 – August 27, 1975) was the Emperor of Ethiopia (1930-1974).
During his feudal administration in 1952 at the blessing of the US of America in defiance of the will of Eritrean, Eritrea was federated to Ethiopia. The infamous words of the then Secretary of State Foster Dulles at his own words:
“From the point of view of justice, the opinions of the Eritrean people must receive consideration. Nevertheless the strategic interest of the United States in the Red Sea basin and the considerations of security and world peace make it necessary that the country has to be linked with our ally Ethiopia.”
With this, the pain and suffering of Eritreans started. However, Eritreans did not allow the bargainers to play on their country’s future. Soon they grab their weapons to fight for their own right. The main reason of the fall of the monarchy was the Eritrean struggle for independence. So is right, that no one can stood against the will of the people.
Then came the Military Junta led by Col. Mengistu Hailemariam as Ethiopian leader (1974 – 1991).
During this period it is the East Block who played a leading role beside the West being on the back door to destroy the unflinching will of the people of Eritrea to defeat the enemy and gain independence from the criminals who occupied the country.
All type of unreserved aggression of human rights violations committed against Eritrean citizens. At the time when the worst atrocities was taking place every one gave a deaf ear to the sorrow of Eritreans
None was able to talk about the human rights situation of Eritreans at the time while the undignified horror was taking place. Instead they were complementing and covering the savage work while help was pouring that includes military, financial and politics favoring Ethiopia.
This kind of double standard makes one to wonder if the Human Rights Advocates were indeed watching for the rights of human, rather than that of watching for the interest of certain nations, organizations and interest groups.
It is fair then to ask the so called Human Rights Advocates about; when Eritrean mother’s womb was opened with knives by the savage Ethiopian military, did they say anything? Have they been blinded to see or lost their hearing when the bombardments with napalm were taking place?
Did they ignore the inhuman suffers during the elders; women and children were killed indiscriminately by the Ethiopian Military? These testify the unquestionable double standard of the so called Human Rights Advocates. I wish they are fit to the trust bestowed upon to the name they hold as Human Rights Advocates.
As to for the Eritreans no one can tell them what human right is? As they call upon the right of human nature free of politicizing the core value.
In the coming weeks Eritreans will celebrate with boundless enthusiasm on the anniversary of their freedom. The celebration is also the renewal and the honoring of those who passed to achieve and gain their rights to live freely in Peace and Harmony among each other without fear and retributions from the nemesis.
Celebrating the 24th anniversary of Eritrean independence is a well-regarded holiday. We cherish the day for we paid high price to achieve. We enjoy the day for we strive to build our country relying on ourselves. We glorify the day for we gave the lives of our loved ones. We praise the day for we are defending our God given rights.
