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The conflicts in the Eritrean diaspora are escalating more and more frequently. What is behind the violence?
They wear blue T-shirts, blue scarves or blue flags: critics of the Eritrean regime. The “Rundschau” accompanied them – including to Geneva, where they demonstrated against a festival organized by those loyal to the government. “Stop the dictator!” chant the young Eritreans who have fled the regime in their homeland. They did not feel safe in Switzerland, says Shalom Habte, spokesman for the Eritrean Media Association of Switzerland: “The dictator of Eritrea is trying to demonstrate his influence through the festivals. That’s why we feel threatened.” The festivals are a provocation: the songs, the propaganda.
The opposition movement calls itself the “Blue Revolution,” and its blue flag dates back to the time before ruler Isayas Afewerki. They demand democracy, a new government. Today there is no free press, no constitution, no parliament in Eritrea. In addition, the regime’s influence is said to extend to Europe: spies are supposed to spy on critics, threaten them and collect taxes. The Swiss authorities are not doing enough about it, says Habte. He sent letters and emails several times and explained how the regime in Switzerland was proceeding. “Now the authorities are listening because these escalations have occurred.”
Violent clashes worldwide
There was a bang for the first time in Opfikon ZH last September: a mass brawl broke out around an Eritrea festival. A dozen people were injured. At the beginning of April again: Escalation in Gerlafingen – riots with iron bars, stones and sticks. But it is not only in Switzerland that there are riots in the Eritrean diaspora – there have also been violent clashes between the two camps in Israel, Norway, Sweden and Germany in recent months.
The regime supporters tell the “Rundschau” that they do not understand why the young Eritreans are disrupting their celebrations. They have been celebrating this in Switzerland for decades. Those responsible advertised the festival in Geneva with a flyer showing a woman in military clothing. Organizer Aziyeb Berhe is not bothered by the fact that the controversial military service in Eritrea is being advertised in this way: “Military service is also compulsory in Switzerland! My son made it.”
Many regime loyalists have been living in Switzerland for a long time, have fled Eritrea’s independence and see Afewerki as a hero who fought for the country’s freedom. “He’s the best, he’s very strong,” says a woman who even has Afewerki as the wallpaper on her cell phone. He is not a dictator: “That’s not true. Why do people say that? Because he doesn’t just let them do whatever they want.”
Politics wants to act
The violence leads to political discussions: For SP National Councilor Fabian Molina it is clear that the provocation comes from Eritreans loyal to the regime. «We know that there are structures that collect money for the regime. We cannot tolerate that in Switzerland.”
FDP Council of States member Andrea Caroni calls for measures in a motion: “If the Federal Council says that you cannot send someone back who advertises for a dictator, a change in the law obviously needs to be made.”
The cantonal justice and police directors (KKJPD) are currently warning cities and municipalities in a letter: there could be increased violence in May, as Eritrea officially celebrates its independence on May 24th.