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New Statesman - It could have been me
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It could have been me
Glenys Kinnock
Published 28 February 2008
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Aster and ten others arrested with her have been held without charge since 2001. Their whereabouts are unknown. They are 
denied access family and medical treatment
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Aster Fissehatsion is a former director of the ministry of labour and social affairs in Eritrea. She has been imprisoned 
incommunicado, without charge or trial, since September 2001, and her precise whereabouts are still unknown. She and ten 
other political dissidents who were arrested at the same time as her are prisoners of conscience, detained solely for the 
peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression.
In the late 1980s I visited Eritrea during the war with Ethiopia and spent time with the Eritrean People's Liberation Front. I 
and others in the British Labour Party consistently supported the EPLF, a beacon of hope with a clear commitment to human 
rights and democracy. I subsequently wrote a book, Eritrea: Images of War and Peace, and visited the country a number of 
times. I am now not welcome. Meanwhile, my erstwhile friend Aster is denied her freedom.
Could it be me? Not really. The traditions of debate and discussion in the European Parliament and in the Labour Party are still 
alive and well. Politicians can, and do, speak out on issues of conscience - a right I exercised in my opposition to renewing 
Trident, for instance.
Eritrea is different. The country is a one-party state, under the rule of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). 
Demands for democracy have been suppressed and many dissidents detained, accused of links with neighbouring Ethiopia. 
Private newspapers have been suspended indefinitely since 2001, and independent NGOs are not permitted. Few foreign 
journalists are allowed in.
Many of the abuses contravene the government's own laws - the constitution contains numerous human rights safeguards - 
but these, and the very principle of rule of law, are frequently ignored.
After Eritrea secured independence from Ethiopia in 1991, the PFDJ was formed and Aster Fissehatsion worked in various 
government ministries. She was elected to the Central Committee of the party. In 1996 she was dismissed from her job for 
criticising the government, but was reinstated in 1999.
Criticism of the PFDJ had grown, as had dissent at the way the president ran both the country and the party. This became 
public in May 2001, when 15 senior party officials, later known as the G-15, published an open letter to PFDJ members calling 
on the president to hold internal party meetings, adhere to correct parliamentary and governance procedures, and follow up 
on promises the PFDJ had made, particularly on judicial reform. Aster was one of the G-15.
Exchange of ideas
In August 2001, the secretary general of the PFDJ Central Office accused the G-15 of attempting to destabilise Eritrea. Their 
response, published in a newspaper, called on the people to help solve the country's problems and asked the Eritrean 
government to allow a free exchange of ideas. On the night of 18 September 2001, 11 of the 15 signatories, including Aster 
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Fissehatsion and her former husband, the then vice-president of Eritrea, Mahmoud Ahmed Sheriffo, were arrested.
All 11 have been held without charge or trial ever since, detained in secret, and their whereabouts remain unknown. There are 
fears that at least two of them may have died in detention as a result of the harsh conditions and denial of medical treatment. 
Their families live in fear and dare not ask after them. The authorities refuse to divulge any information or reply to questions 
from Amnesty or the international community.
Free to speak
These are dangerous times in the Horn of Africa, and a draconian and repressive government in Asmara adds to the region's 
instability. The international community should demand to know where Aster Fissehatsion and the other prisoners are being 
held and that they should be granted access to their families and medical staff. This situation must not be allowed to continue. 
They should be released, as they have committed no crime.
As a politician, I am free to speak out according to my principles and values. Speaking out on the most important issues is 
what politics is about; it is certainly what attracted me to it. And I ask that those of you who agree join me in speaking out for 
Aster Fissehatsion. 
Join the Amnesty appeal for Aster Fissehatsion by logging on to: www.amnesty.org.uk/cases
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27 comments from readers
rasalula  
28 February 2008 at 16:53 
When was the EPLF "a beacon of hope with a clear commitment to human rights and democracy"? Eritrea is today 
run by the same opportunistic thugs that were fighting the war against Ethiopia. To be sure, the Ethiopian regime, 
then and now, was no better. But to feign suprise at the nature of the Eritrean government today is absolutely 
ridiculous. Moreover, its indicative of the sad consequences of the West's meddling in the affairs of other countries. A 
few Eritrean elites manipulated Westerners into sanctioning their "independence" and now the ones suffering are the 
people on both sides of a fake border.
Simon  
29 February 2008 at 18:28 
Glenys, 
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It is good that you are speaking out for Aster. However, are you not aware that the Human Rights of every Eritrean is 
violated by the EU who failed to shoulder its responsibility in implementing the algiers agreement as a gurantor. 
Glenys, why didn't you use your position and influence to speak out for justice and the rights of the Eritrean people to 
live in peace. 
You let the Eritrean people down so badlly and cruelly.
Solomon  
29 February 2008 at 22:18 
Mrs Kinnock, 
What good is it that you are speaking out for the right of one person when the entire population is being subjected to 
injustice and unfair treatment by the EU, UN and others? 
Why don't you let the people of Eritrea see your principles and values by calling for a just settlement of the border 
conflict in accordance with the agreement that both countries had signed to. 
Please do not be selective in the way you apply your values.
guest  
29 February 2008 at 23:59 
When Aster was in Arizona for education, her husband was injail. Her kids were left without a dad and mom. She was 
scared to retun to Eritrea but also scared at the same time. The eritrean government guarateed for her safety. The 
eritrean ambasador to the US personally assured her. Up on her return, She was arrested at the Asmara internation 
airport. I can imagine, her kids were waiting at the airport. They have no reason to arrest her. But it is sad what 
happened to her, kids, and all of us. 
Isayas Afewerki should be pressured to release her immediately. As Eritrean, i never dreamed that my country to fall 
in dictatorail regime. We got our independence from ethiopia but we lost our freedom. I saw so many human right 
violation in eritrea. Most eritrean pastors are in jail too!...asfar as isayas is in power, nothing is going to change. lets 
hope and pray that he will the office leave soon!
guest  
01 March 2008 at 00:05 
Solomon, 
That is bad argument. The UN didn't enforce the border issue. But this has to do nothing with Aster. there is no 
correlation. Arresting her without charges is wrong.
Genuine_Eritrean  
01 March 2008 at 08:14 
THIS IS SOOO AMAZING!!! Why in the world is the West SOOO CONCERNED with Eritrea's internal problems. 
YOU SHOULD BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT SOVEREIGN ERITREAN TERRITORY BEING ILLEGALLY OCUPIED BY 
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ETHIOPIA's Unrepresentative Minority Regime!
Genuine_Eritrean  
01 March 2008 at 08:36 
Mrs Glenys Kinnock, 
Just imagine Russia invade and occupy part of the UK. What should be the MORE URGENT ISSUE, the couple of 
peoples "human rights" or the THE THREATENED SOVEREIGNTY OF YOUR COUNTRY? 
The region's instability is caused by: 
1. Ethiopia aggressively occupying Eritrean territory; Not abiding by the FINAL AND BINDING PEACE AGREEMENT 
SIGNED BY BOTH NATIONS. 
2. Ethiopian Government's invasion/occupation of Somalia and the indiscriminate killing of civilians. 
3. Ethiopian Government killing hundreds of it's own citizens during ELECTION FRAUD PROTESTS. 
4. Ethiopian Government's suppression of the Oromo and Ethnic Somali, whom make about 40% of the population. 
3. Ethiopian support of Terrorist groups such as the EIJ (Eritrean Islamic Jihad) whom plan on turning Eritrea into an 
Islamic state.
selam  
02 March 2008 at 04:34 
I dont know why some are trying to defend the eritrean govenment gross human right violation. The writer is only 
defending Aster. The border issue, the UN, the ethio governemnt has to do nothing with human right violation. 
Glenys Kinnock, thankyou very much for defending the eritrean victims. There are many unheard human right 
violations in eritrea!! please continue to write and increase the awareness of the international community till all the 
inocent eritreans are released!! thanks again...onbehalf of the the victims....
Dawit  
02 March 2008 at 22:43 
The helpless who are suffering under the current regime need someone like you to speak up on their behalf. I 
commend your action and I hope many more will add their voices of rebuke to the government of Eritrea. Who 
thought Isaias, the president, was going to turn into such a mean spirited and narrow minded leader. Aster's 
imprisonemnt is on the minds of many. Well done! 
Dawit
Rastaman  
03 March 2008 at 03:57 
What have we Eritreans become? People that fought for their just independence have totally failed to secure freedom. 
Don't we all deserve a government and a leadership that is committed to the freedom of its citizens? 
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' Those who trade their freedom for a promise of safety, deserve, neither freedom nor safety" Benjamin Franklin. 
Have we become non-desrving people. It could be any of us. It could be the president himself for that matter. No one 
is safe in the status qo, NO ONE!
Jim Ring  
03 March 2008 at 10:07 
I am absolutely appalled at the pathetic replies from apologists for the tyrannical regime in Eritrea. If they truly want 
justice for their country from the international arena, they should be doing their utmost to ensure that the Eritrean 
regime honours those basic human rights that its own constitution demands. If the regime were to free Ms 
Fissehatsion and her fellow detainees, they are far more likely to have their own grievances addressed in the 
international community.
Selam  
03 March 2008 at 11:38 
Imagine whoever you are male or female: your other half is looking after your children while you are abroad for a 
temporary training session. One day the phone rings or recieved an email saying that your other half is in prison, I 
would guess that the first thought goes in your mind would be (unless you are a morron! ) "what would happen to 
the children" , then obviously you will try to contact the embassy of your country (if you happen to have a country!!) 
who might suggest to you that you might opt one of two options: Request the embassy of your country for your 
children to join you so that you look after them (assuming country with established human right, institutions..etc) or 
you have to go back home to look after them. To cut the story short you opt to accept the option of going back after 
you recieved an assurance from the government that nothing is going to happen to you. The next logical and 
emotional step is to inform your children that they dont havt to worry and I that you are in your way and that you are 
going to bring them nice gifts and once you make the booking and sure about the arrival time you ask them to wait 
for you at the airport (we are talking about innocent children and with innocent smiles for those of us who appreciate 
that!!) the flight arrives, passengers start leaving the air port one after the other and no sign for mother or father. 
The children would start to wonder about the going while secretely someone from the secret security snatch the 
father or the mother away through the back doors. Imagine the tears dropping from these innocent childern, even 
heartless amature thug will start to shacke. However samll this is what Glenys is talking about or this is what she can 
do and she should be thanked for that. I am sure if someone put the story together will make an award winning film..
any interested invester on humanright to publish this film contact Glenys!!!
Habte G  
03 March 2008 at 18:01 
Primerily issue of Eritreans is not as you mentioned for individuals,offcourse human-write issue is basically to be 
respect and I agree with you. When people like had been hiding your voices and encouraging the repressive regim in 
Ethiopia,and now advocating about individuals is really parody. Stop your dubble-standared and push your servant 
regim in Adiss Abeba and push to complay with the allredy Demarcated border issue vertually. Then it is our utmost 
task to be engaged in our internal affairs. 
Habte G
abreham  
03 March 2008 at 21:21 
Selam All, 
I command Ms. Kinnock for writing this article and speak on behalf of Aster. 
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Just a correction, Aster Fissehatsion which this article is all about is not the same as Aster Yohannes (wife of Petros 
Solomon) which most people are reffering. 
Aster Fissehatsion is one of those G-15 who signed the open letter and she is jailed along with the other G-15 
members in the country. She was ex-wife of Mahmood Sherifo who was also jailed with the G-15. They had one 
children (Ibrahim) and both his parents (Aster and Mahmood) are in prison. 
Aster Yohannes (wife of Petros Solomon) have four children and she is arrested after she returned to Eritrea after 
completing her school. Her mother and her four children were waiting for her in the airport and the security forces 
detained her and no body knows where she is. 
Such is the cruel system that the Eritrean people have in Eritrea. These women are "no threat" to the government 
and they have nothing to do with the boarder, the UN, Eritrean internal problems. 
It is a shame that we Eritreans after paying so much that we deserve these. These women, not only are mothers, 
they too were freedom fighters who spend their life to struggle for freedom and justice in Eritrea. They don't deserve 
this from a system that they spend their lifetime. 
It is a shame to be Eritrean and I can't believe there are some my country men who can't see the wrong in this. What 
is all these "deqi swaet", "tegadelit" non-sense then, if we can't feel the pain of those children who are denied both 
parents for speaking their minds. 
Abreham
Eritrawi  
04 March 2008 at 00:12 
Ms. Kinnock, 
Thank you for the candid and good wish thinking for Eritreans. In the mean time please ignore those who are writing 
nonsense arguments. As the internet is becoming an ocean where the sources of ideas are hard to track, those 
opposing using different names could be one person (Probably The Dictator himself or is fool info minister, Ali Abdou 
or the arogant Yemane Gebremeskel). We (most freedom loving Eritreans) stand by you as you stood for our cause. 
Sincerely, 
Eritrean for freedom!
milca  
04 March 2008 at 01:54 
We think it's wonderful that there are brave people out there willing to stand up and fight for the rights and freedoms 
of others regardless of what that may mean for themselves. Lots and lots of support and strength to those who have 
been victimized. 
Thomas&Milca
mike  
04 March 2008 at 02:04 
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I commend the writer for her concern in human rights. We all should be concerned about human rights all over the 
world. But what is sad is that the west is mainly concerned about the few people arrested that served its interest. 
Your cry is not for human rights rather it is the affected west's interest. In Eritrea anyone whether one has children or 
was a former freedom fighter will be arrested for breach of security or law. There is very hard evidence that most of 
those arrested have commited treason to some degree. Some are just accomplice. We always talk about democracy. 
Are we talking about the democracy the west introduced in Iraq or the one in Kenya ( where people kill with arrows 
and machetes ) because it is a democratic country. Thanks for all your human rights concern but focus for all the 
atrocities the UK/USA commits in differet parts of the world that really need dire attention. We Eritreans will solve our 
issue amongst us. 
all the best
Kidane  
04 March 2008 at 04:43 
I dont understand those of you writing comments about Ethiopia and Somalia. the writer is talking about the human 
right violation in Eritrea and the victims. As we all know the government of Eritrea arrested thousands citizen for 
opposing the dictatorial regime of Isaias Afewerki. We need change and it isnot our business to formulate a foreign 
policy for the neighboring countries. 
Kidane 
One of Eritreans who seek political freedom in his country
Belai  
04 March 2008 at 05:44 
Ignoring the egregious few, I could have easily "cut and pasted" any number of comments made here in response to 
the article, and most of them would succinctly impart my sentiment. Eritreans find themselves in a dire situation. 
They are unwilling to demand change because they mistakenly believe thier is a family quarrell and will be resolved 
accordingly. Moreover, the government has successfuly diverted their attention away from the daily grind and abuse 
by creating an external menace....Ethiopia. Thus, middle aged and elderly Eritreans are hardly the segment one 
would expect to vigorously agitate for change and bring public discontent to the fore. A possessed dictator who 
spends every waking hour weaving intrigues has held over three hundred thousand young Eritreans hostage by 
sentencing them to live in foxholes waiting for an imaginary enemy coming from across the Ethiopian border. For the 
last ten years (since 1998) most of the conscripted youngsters have made the trenches their abode deprived of 
education and family life as we know it. After shutting down the only university in the capital, Asmara, even younger 
students have been herded to hastily constructed and poorly staffed colleges as far away from major urban areas as 
possible. Ostensibly, this course of action was taken in order to creat a student imbued with self confidence, smarts, 
discipline and the like. However, every week over three hundred youngsters are fleeing to Ethiopia abandoning the 
trenches and colleges. What could parents do. They are in a bind. Many others are scared stiff. What I wrote above 
does not even start to describe the agony, frustration and helplessness the Eritrean people are experiencing. It goes 
to show how consoling it is to my people when individuals like the author of the article expose not only the ineptness 
but also the utter brutality of the regime in Eritrea. Only the irrational and those easily duped could mix a border 
issue with the living hell Eritreans find themselves in. Don't delude yourselves.
mike  
04 March 2008 at 08:56 
To Belai, 
It is you who should not delude thyself! At one point I use to be like, a confused person. But facts on the ground 
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changed my attitude. The information you provided is misleading and filled with falacy to say the least. You can not 
be sitting thousand of miles away creating your own false and misleading theories. Please visit there and talk to the 
people. What I found there is completely contrary to your presentation. It is true there are thousands of troops at the 
border, and that is due to the unfortunate circumstances. But make no mistake we know who our enemy is. The 
youth are out there building the country, they barely see the foxhole you claim. I have been there, I have seen it. 
Eritrea is building a high standard universities (academically). The Asmara university you talk about is equivalent to a 
small community college in America that can not satisfy the nations need. So please visit Eritrea and see for yourself, 
so you can write facts and not just theories. BTW I am a youth and my attention is not diverted.
Wedi Asmara  
04 March 2008 at 13:14 
How sad that people are still willing to fall for the lame excuse of that pitiful village of Badme to accept and justify the 
constant and horrific violations of human rights which are occurring in Eritrea. Yes, comments about the pathetic 
inability of the international community to solve the border issue are correct. But the border issues also serves Isaias 
perfectly as an excuse to brutally stifle even the slightest hint of dissent in this country, so as to remain in power. 
Imprisonment without trial and torture are the absolute norm here nowadays, and there can be no excuse for that.
senitu  
04 March 2008 at 13:23 
To Mike 
You chose to ignore the hard facts and support the government blindly. If you were kind enough, you could have 
been worried on the plight of eritreans who are suffering every single minute. It's the few cold blooded people like 
you who like to reign and enslave my brothers and sisters. I guess you have absolutely no brother or sister out there .
Lula  
04 March 2008 at 16:02 
To Mike 
I have been to Eritrea recently and I didn’t see none of the facts you are claiming to have seen. With the foreign 
currency that you take there for your vacation, you can no doubt have a good time in Asmara but that has nothing to 
tell about the real life of the common people living there. You can have talked to certain people, but you can’t expect 
them to tell you the truth specially if they don’t trust you. You must either be very naïve or you have only talked to 
the high-ranking officials who are leading a high life in the houses they confiscated for funny prices. 
The youth who are building the roads and houses are doing it by force and not by their own free will. While you are 
sitting here and enjoying this wonderful story, the guys are fleeing the country every day and night. They are 
escaping imprisonments , forced labour and the lack of basic human rights. Before stamping this information as 
misleading, try to get informed how many of them are flowing to the camp around Shire. I’ll leave it to you to believe 
it or not but 50-60 a day is the recent information I have from one of them. And if the feelings of parents mean 
anything to you, as many parents are worrying about the lives of these kids. These are the facts on the ground. You 
can stay with your attitude, but you will one day come to your senses and think if Badme is worth all these losses… 
but then everything will be too late to repair.
ruth  
04 March 2008 at 17:07 
In president Afeworki's Eritrea the irrational is the rational .When you talk about the human right abbuse;.they [goe]
write about the border dispute with their former comrade in arms the TPLF[EPRDF]which is the current government 
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of Ethiopia.OR the USA or the UN or the situation in Somalia which has nothing to do with the suffering of Eritrean 
freedom fighters in the SECRET PRISONS of the Eritrean Government in comminicado with their famillies,lawyers,THE 
RED CROSSor the RED CRECENTor human right activists.I thank MS. KINNOKfor her time and concern for alerting us 
what is going on the far corners of the World under the guise of patriotism and border conflict which is absurd.
danny  
04 March 2008 at 18:09 
Hello Glenys, 
As an Eritrean, I commend you for airing out the gross human rights violation that is being inflicted upon the Eritrean 
populace in general and on the former senior government leaders in particular. 
Please continue to support the same causes that you supported in the 80s, which were the freedom, liberty and 
justice for the Eritrean people. Please do not, too, get discouraged by the many apologists of the present regime and/
or by the sour losers of the Ethiopian hegemony. They will do their best to confuse the noble cause you have raised 
by mixing apples and oranges like the border and questioning the very independence of Eritrea from Ethiopian rule. 
Just because one man went astray and hijacked the Eritrean people's aspirations, it does not mean your support of 
Eritrean independence in the 80s is lost in vain.
mike  
05 March 2008 at 10:22 
To Senitu and Lula, 
I have been to Eritrea several times. I do not know any single government official. I do not support or condone the 
regime. I have several family members and relatives who are proudly serving in the military. I use my foreign 
currency to help the martyr's fund and other societal moral obligations. And not get wasted in the streets of Asmara 
or Massawa bay. I talk to many people with different backgrounds that give me different opinions. Contrary to what 
people told me in the west, I could barely find one who is Iscared to speak up, with the exception of few. I spent 
most of my time with the common people sharing their life and struggles. I do not just waste my time writing 
opinions on the internet, but I also contribute to the Eritrean society with what ever I can. Again, your claims and 
statistics are misleading. Emotional sentiments will get us no where, but facts will. Your concerns are well taken but 
misplaced. Sure, Eritrea is a poor country as any African nation that is striving to excell. I do not expect western life 
standards in Eritrea. And you have to go there with that mind set. You are the ones who should not be blinded by the 
hatred of one man (Afewerki). Please do not preach to the choir about democracy, human rights and bla bla bla. And 
if there are who defect the military, we should not be suprised at all. World history has taught us that people tend to 
gravitate to the greener area. Let alone the few Eritrea defectors, we see thousands of Ethiopians (reproted daily) 
and west Africans trailing the dangerous journey to Europe and Middle East for better life. So, please do not present it 
as something unique to Eritreans. Asians, Central and South Americas, Africas, Arabs are emigrating en masses to the 
greener pasteur. So, please, I mean please do not be suprised about Eritreans crossing borders. Emigrating to other 
countries would have happened whether we have border issue or not. But I have one question to all those 
supposedly concerned Eritreans. Your hatred to president Isaiah Afwerki is acceptable, it is a personal choice, but 
how are you contributing to Eritrea and the Eritrean society? Please do not say you are fighting for their rights by 
chatting on my space or demonizing the president. I am talking about tangible things such as sending books, 
contibuting to martyr's fund, donating medical equipments and stuff like that. Please ask your self. You can sit here 
and type your hatred all day but that won't change a thing on the ordinary people's life standard. It is that small 
things that make all the difference. The Israelies have done it why not us. Regardless, I love u all real Eritreans on 
this web who are concerned about their people.
Admasu  
05 March 2008 at 13:03 
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Not only am I fascinated by Mike's lopsided argument, but I am also amused as well. He is writing about an Eritrea I 
do not know. Like him I visited Asmara and its suburbs on a number of occasions. I honestly do not believe that he 
visited Eritrea as his stories are depictions of sorts. As if I do not know my own country, he has written passages of 
pure conjectures, spuriousness and self-delusion. 
Hasn't the president forcefully collectivised labour force to effectively reduce young Eritreans to the status of serfs? 
Hasn't the president blocked Eritrea from pursuing a democratic path? 
Hasn't the president virtually steered Eritrea to be isolated? 
Hasn't the president literally sidelined the ex-fighter community by amassing absolute control of the country? 
Hasn't the president, let alone allow the diaspora to take part in governance, systematically barred them from 
resettling back in Eritrea? 
You see, a person who blindly argues in defence or justification of something, such as a doctrine, policy, or institution 
is called an apologist. And what do I call someone who advocates for unlawful imprisonment, forced labor of its 
youngsters, punishment of Eritrean citizens who demand that their rights be respected, closure of free press, 
indefinite shelving of the Eritrean Constitution? I guess I am allowed to call him Mike! 
Admasu
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New Statesman - It could have been me
Access 9 years  
of the New Statesman 
 
Also by Glenys Kinnock
●     Burma Special: Aung San Suu Kyi, a hero of our time 
●     The victims of mass rape need our help 
●     Books - Glenys Kinnock recommends. . . 
●     See everything by Glenys Kinnock 
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●     See everything from the Human Rights column 
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Abusing the weak
●     By Alistair Currie 
●     04 March 
A lasting political marriage
●     By Jonathan Calder 
●     04 March 
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New Statesman - It could have been me
Fighting for fair pay
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●     04 March 
Christianity: "wanted and never tried"
●     By Jonathan Bartley 
●     04 March 
 
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