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The Action Group for Eritrea held a Series of Meetings with British MPs
Press Release – June 2006
The Action Group for Eritrea (AGE) and other Eritreans representing different organizations held a series of discussions with Members of Parliament from different parties. The meetings which took place in the House of Commons at Westminster were aimed at lobbying support for expediting the demarcation of the Eritrean-Ethiopian border and explore ways of creating an All Party Parliamentarian Group for Eritrea.
AGE presented to the MPs a robust case for the unequivocal implementation of the EEBC decision backed up by a wealth of evidence. The presentation touched upon issues including the Eritrean-Ethiopian conflict and its genesis as well as its adverse political, economic and social consequences. AGE also elaborated on the urgent need for peace, stability and development in Eritrea and Ethiopia and the telling benefits this would have in the Horn of Africa.
The MPs had different levels of familiarity with the present situation. The meetings were typified by some interesting and constructive discussions with respect to the border conflict and the current political situations in Eritrea. The MPs showed great interest in the matter and said they would raise the issues with the relevant authorities.
The meeting with one of the MPs focused on developing a rapport and clearing the air with respect to long-standing reservations the Group had on the perceived support that he has been giving the Ethiopia government irrespective of its attempt to thwart the EEBC decision – a ruling enshrined in international rule of law. AGE, in addition to the numerous correspondences made prior to the meeting, was able to demonstrate, backed with evidences gathered over the last couple of years that the MP’s stand on the conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia could have been more balanced. The meeting was seen as constructive and useful by both parties.
A meeting was also held with a senior Labour MP a month earlier to discuss similar issues. The MP who was due to visit the UN Office agreed to raise the concern with key people at the UN and the British government.
Seble Ephrem, Mahta T. Kidan, Tsebaot Yohannes, Habtom Tesfay, Sirak Bahlbi and Simon Marcos attended the meetings.
AGE