Eritreans abroad protest against regime after Asmara 'chaos'

Eritreans living abroad have staged protests decrying the human rights situation back home. The protests held on Friday were originally planned for Washington, London and Stockholm. It comes in the wake of Tuesday’s rare protest in the streets of the capital Asmara.

Security forces used gunfire to disperse students who reports indicate were demanding the release of a school head detained for resisting state interference in running the Islamic community – funded school.

Photos shared on social media, however, showed protesters in London, scores of who gathered outside the embassy in London to register their concerns.

Eritreans rally outside the embassy in London #Freehajimussa pic.twitter.com/fkxa31L359

— Selam Kidane (@Selkid) November 3, 2017

Over in the Swedish city of Stockholm, protesters chose the front of the Swedish parliament to stage their protests. About 100 people with banners and photos of prominent religious leaders took part in the process.

مظاهرة استوكهولم امام البرلمان السويدي نصرة لشعب ارتريا #إرتريا_تنتفض pic.twitter.com/SfdHu02CFC

— Bakrei Humed (@BakreiH) November 3, 2017

The government through its information minister, Yemane Ghebre Meskel, has categorically denied that there were any deaths during the ‘small demonstration.’ Arrests were made in the wake of the protest even though normalcy is said to have returned to Asmara.

Eritrea blames some media personnel and people they say have links with neighbouring Ethiopia in stoking tensions and blowing matters out of proportion. The country is known for its clampdown on human and press rights.

It does not have a functional constitution since attaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993. President Isaias Afwerki is its only political leader since independence, elections were planned almost two decades ago but were never held.