May 17, 2003	Saturday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 14, 1424

ASMARA (Eritrea): After Eritrea’s plucky freedom fighters won their guerilla war of independence against Ethiopia, the new country formed along the Red Sea was warmly welcomed by much of the international community.

President Issaias Afewerki was soon labelled as one of a new breed of African leaders set to bring a renaissance on the continent with transparent, pragmatic and democratic rule.

But as Eritrea marks 10 years of independence on Sunday, the government is facing harsh international criticism for warring with its neighbours, locking up dissidents and journalists, and failing to move toward democracy.

The ruling People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) is the only legal political party, a constitution is yet to be implemented, evangelical church groups are banned, the press is solely pro-government and free elections remain a thing of the future.

“The Eritrean government rules by fear,” says a researcher with an international human rights group.

“The Eritrean government is not very eager about becoming a democracy,” a Western diplomat in the capital Asmara said. “They talk the talk of democracy, but we don’t see any indication it’s happening.”

Eritrea first developed a reputation — whether fairly or unfairly — as belligerent by squabbling over territory or influence with all four of its neighbours, Ethiopia, Sudan, Djibouti and Yemen. That has faded since its war with Ethiopia ended in 2000, but taking its place is a reputation for not tolerating dissent.

During a two-day period in September 2001, with world attention focused on the attacks on New York and Washington, security forces launched pre-dawn raids to arrest 11 senior PFDJ members on allegations of sedition. All had signed an open letter mildly criticizing Afewerki’s leadership.

The government also shut down all eight private newspapers in the country and arrested 10 journalists, citing “gross violation” of press laws.

Days later, Eritrea expelled the European Union’s senior diplomatic representative, the Italian ambassador, after he stated concern over the growing repression.

The security forces then arrested two Eritrean employees of the US embassy.

The EU froze its development aid and the US backed out of a proposal to use Eritrean bases as its regional anti-terrorism headquarters.

But the diplomatic wrist-slaps have had little effect. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch say none of those arrested have been charged or brought before a court, and most are being held in incommunicado detention. Nine arrested journalists who went on hunger strike were moved to an undisclosed location. US embassy officials say they don’t even know where their two colleagues are being held.

The Eritrean government remains steadfast that it has done nothing wrong.

“Human rights are relative to me,” says Woldai Futur, a top presidential advisor. “All countries have human rights issues. Is Eritrea the worst in these terms? I don’t think so.”—dpa