On March 22, 2013, as thousands of
Swedish citizens of Eritrean origin were demonstrating in Stockholm, Sweden to
condemn the criminal and cowardly acts of terrorism that burned three of their
community centers, Eritrean Americans across the United States visited the
Swedish Embassy in Washington DC and Swedish Consular offices throughout the United
States.
The message that was delivered to
Swedish officials condemned the heinous
crime that were committed the night of February 25, 2013, the conspicuous Swedish
media silence on this act of terrorism, and the alarming inaction by the
Swedish authorities. It also called an end to the 10-year long Swedish media’s
virulent xenophobic campaigns that have resulted in violations of the rights of
Swedish citizens of Eritrean origin. The package that was delivered included a
collection of photographs that showed the destruction of the three community
centers.
The three Eritrean community centers
that were burned in February were places where the community gathered for all
forms of its social life. These were epicenters of Swedish-Eritrean life, they
were where children got school work tutorials, Eritrean language instructions,
the community met for family celebrations, as well as to mourn the loss of
their loved ones.
We would like to point out, despite making proper
appointments and given a time and officials to meet with, some consulates, at
the last hour, cancelled appointments saying: “the Swedish Embassy in
Washington, DC, has instructed us to tell you to contact the Swedish Ministry
of Foreign Affairs in Stockholm.” These acts betray motives of the Swedish
Embassy officials in Washington, DC and serve as a window to what Swedes of
Eritrean origin are facing in their attempt to get justice in Sweden.
Once more communities of
Eritrean Americans across the US call the Stockholm
police and the Swedish Government to conduct a thorough investigation to get to
the bottom of these crimes and earnestly work to bring the responsible
person(s) to justice. Terrorism is terrorism
is terrorism—by any other name or under any veil. Acts of terror and
vandalism should not be mistaken for political activism. There should be a bold
line that should not be crossed.
We also call on all peace
loving people to condemn and fight discrimination, racism and xenophobia in all
their manifestations. As for the Swedish officials in the Embassy in
Washington, DC, they should never think they can muzzle our voice and shun the
spotlight over the crimes that happened in the heart of their capital by refusing
to talk with our delegation. We will continue to raise our voices until Swedish
authorities investigate fully the crimes committed against the law-abiding
Eritrean Swedish Community and stop their subtle and not so subtle acts of
discrimination.
For more information visit http://www.eritrean-smart.org
