Two MEPs, Mr Olle Schmidt and Ms Eva-Britt Svensson, asked me recently a question about the situation of Davit Isaak, a Swedish journalist imprisoned in Eritrea. Let me just stress that I am deeply concerned about this situation and I shared my concerns with the MEPs. I my response to their question, I wrote:
Dear Mr Schmidt and Ms Svensson,Yours sincerely,
Andris Piebalgs
Thank you for your letter of 6 May 2010 concerning the continued plight of Dawit Isaak in Eritrea.
The Commission remains deeply concerned that Mr Isaak is still in custody despite the numerous representations made to the Eritrean authorities by the international community.
I welcome your continued commitment to campaigning for the release of Mr Isaak and the recent initiatives by President Buzek and Louis Michel MEP to encourage the Government of Eritrea to release Mr Isaak. Let me reassure you that Commission will continue to accord this case the highest priority and will continue to play its part along with the rest of the international community in calling for his release.
The Commission has for a long time now been liaising with the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on an appropriate course of action regarding the case of Dawit Isaak and has followed-up on a number of suggestions by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
For my part and more recently, I have informed the Eritrean Ambassador of my wish to visit Eritrea and to meet with President Isaias. I intend to discuss with the President a number of issues, ranging from EU development cooperation to matters of regional importance. On this occasion I shall certainly raise the case of Dawit Isaak. As things stand right now, this visit will be timed to coincide with the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) Summit which is scheduled to take place in July 2010.
The release of Dawit Isaak and others in a similar plight would certainly demonstrate on the part of the Eritrean authorities a sign of good will and intention to re-engage with the international community. Such an act would, undoubtedly, improve Eritrea’s standing with the international community. The challenge is to convey this message to the authorities.
I believe that every opportunity should be seized to impress upon President Isaias that this intolerable and inhumane situation must not continue. The combined efforts of the international community, be it by governments, NGOs or individuals must be maintained and strengthened.
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This is good news. The case of Dawit Issak is a humanitarian issue and deserve every attention it can get from all peace and justice loving individuals and institutions. It is also a case that reflects the dire human rights situation, where tens and hundreds of journalists, politicians and individual citizens have been incracerated without trace for very long painful years. All efforts should therefore be exerted on the Eritrean ruling party to bring this situation of utter injustice to an immediate end.
Dear Commissioner,
Thank you for this statement and for engageing publicly in a conversation on the tragic situation in Eritrea.
In December 2009 Europe External Policy Advisors (EEPA) hosted a conference in Brussels to identify how EU policy to Eritrea and the Horn could be advanced in a closer cooperation with the AU, the US and the international community.
The conference identified the implementation of the border agreement in the region as a main priority.
The conference shared the tragedy of human rights violations and brought tribute to Dawit Isaac among many others in prison without trial.
The people of Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia and Ethiopia share an interest for peace and stability in the region.
Whether Europe’s engagement is big or small is of no importance, relevant is that its engagement is consistent in seeking peace and prosperity for all people in the Horn, it does not tolerate human rights violations and militarisation of the region, seeks to advance democratic checks and balances and promotes the implementation of the international border agreements. By seeking such balance and consistency it will make a steadfast contribution.
Hopefully, your planned visit will contribute to changes bringing an end to the incredible risks the refugees from Eritrea are taking to escape their home country, the country they are so proud of.
While we welcome the Eritrean refugees in Europe, and should welcome them, the dream of every Eritrean is to be able to go home without fear. As European we should help Eritreans in realising their dream, and I hope you will convey this message strongly to President Isaias.
Sincerely,
Mirjam van Reisen
Director EEPA
EEPA
…yes the committment to re-engage with the international community should be measured by Asmara’s willingness to begin respecting International human rights agreements as well as compliance with the reqirement to stop distabilising the region, afterall the two are part and parcel of the same disregard to conventions that make up good governance and positive membership of the international community. President Issias Afwerki should be made to understand that there is no tolerance to the level of abuse and utter disregard of the right of others such as those that his regime is perpetrating inside the country and the wider region. The EU is in a good position to use its influence in effecting positive changes in Eritrea and now there seems to be global consensus on the urgency of the matter.