After North Korea, Eritrea is the world’s most repressive and totalitarian country. Independence leader Isaias Afwerki rules with an iron fist. He rejects elections, and treats the country as his personal fiefdom. Unlimited conscription and national service transformed Eritrean citizens into unpaid slaves and made the country Isaias’ plantation. In response, many Eritreans flee. The routes are perilous; many die of thirst in the desert or drown crossing the Red Sea or Mediterranean. Tribesmen, criminals, and slavers prey upon them. Isaias is fine with the flight as Eritrea relies not only upon remittances from those who make it to Europe and the United States but also extorts a two percent “tax” based on ethnicity rather than citizenship. If an Eritrean renounces their citizenship, Isaias does not care. If they do not pay two percent of their income back to his treasury, their relatives will suffer back in Eritrea.
Other members of the diaspora, I would argue, advocate for the government for either privilege or, as possible, intelligence officers who spy on the Eritrean community. This is a strategy ripped from the North Korean playbook. Some experts argue that various ‘front groups’ regularly promote Pyongyang positions in Washington, seeking to confuse policy or, on occasion, win a propaganda coup when they can convince a representative to parrot their talking points without looking behind the curtain.
Indeed, Isaias considers pro-government diaspora to be a “fourth front” to supplement the country’s Western, Central, and Eastern fronts. Eritrean embassies often coordinate with diaspora front groups to lionize Isaias and celebrate festivals important to his rule. Eritrean front groups usually seek to intimidate those who favor freedom and democracy. In recent years, clashes and violence have become commonplace as pro-regime Eritreans attack those who do not share their views.
The pro-freedom diaspora has now responded. Over the past two years, diaspora groups across Europe and the United States have rallied behind the so-called “Blue Revolution.” Many of this pro-freedom, anti-Isaias Eritreans counter-protest at pro-regime festivals. This infuriates Isaias and pro-regime organizers as it takes the shine off their events and undermines the image of Eritrean solidarity they promote.
The pro-Isaias community in the United States now appears to be experimenting with a new strategy: Using U.S. courts to target anti-regime protestors. Earlier this year, the Eritrean Association in Greater Seattle sued several Eritrean democracy activists at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Tacoma. While the case remains mired in its early procedural issues such as service, it sets a dangerous precedent. Many cases have no merit—and reading the complaint, this appears to be one of them. The Eritrean Association says they serve more than 7,000 local Eritreans and openly acknowledge they organize events such as Eritrean Independence Day and Martyr’s Day celebrations. These parallel government holidays that lionize Isaias. The complaint then suggests that for their advocacy, they have become the target of hate crimes. This, of course, elides “hate crimes” with political dissent as those whom they accuse share the same ethnicities.
The root of the Eritrean Association complaint is that protestors disrupted their event by protesting and caused participants to cancel hotel reservations. They allege violence, but the complaint appears exaggerated. What the complaint alleges to be severe violence and destruction of property, the local police spokeswoman acknowledged tents tipped over. She described them as scuffles “that have quickly ended.”
It is understandable that the U.S. government prefers to remain aloof. After all, the judiciary is an independent branch of government, and the executive branch has no business interfering. At the same time, though, this can play into Isaias’ hijacking of the courts. He can channel unlimited funds to his front groups and lawyers to try to use court procedures and hearings to intimidate and bankrupt the Eritrean opposition.
The courts should be interested in not allowing themselves to be used by a dictator or groups that, by their actions, appear to act as his proxies. The State Department should also file a brief with the court explaining Eritrea’s methodology and strategies to target and neutralize opposition. Lawfare is simply its latest tactic.
Make no mistake: Freedom is on trial in Tacoma. Not only is Isaias watching its outcome, but dictators from Beijing to Moscow to Addis Ababa to Caracas will also seek to use U.S. courts to do their dirty work.
About the Author: Dr. Michael Rubin
Michael Rubin is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum. A former Pentagon official, Dr. Rubin has lived in post-revolution Iran, Yemen, and pre-and postwar Iraq. He also spent time with the Taliban before 9/11. For over a decade, he taught classes at sea about the Horn of Africa and Middle East conflicts, culture, and terrorism to deployed US Navy and Marine units. Dr. Rubin is the author, coauthor, and coeditor of several books exploring diplomacy, Iranian history, Arab culture, Kurdish studies, and Shi’ite politics. The views expressed are his own.
Mr. Jacob T.
September 24, 2024 at 11:46 pm
Dear Mr. Rubin,
As a proud American citizen of Eritrean heritage, your remarks have deeply disturbed me. Are you suggesting that I do not have the right to practice my cultural and religious beliefs in the United States because of your ignorance and prejudice? Do you believe that my American-born children should be denied the opportunity to understand and embrace their cultural heritage and norms? It’s clear that your misguided views are influenced by external factors, perhaps even fueled by someone financially motivated to produce such a biased article.
It is evident to all who are willing to see with clear eyes that physical attacks were carried out in broad daylight against individuals who were simply engaging in cultural activities. How can you be blind enough to deny such blatant acts of violence? Justice, however, was not blind; the courts recognized the truth.
Your stance not only undermines our fundamental rights but also endangers the very principles of diversity and inclusion that this nation stands for. It is imperative that we challenge and correct such harmful ideologies to foster a more understanding and united society.
Sincerely,
Jacob T.
isaac Tekle
September 25, 2024 at 3:53 pm
Thank you Mr Robin
isaac Tekle
September 25, 2024 at 3:58 pm
Thank you Mr Rubin
As proud Eritrean American your Article on this matter is personal to me .
It’s important that the world knows what is behind this puppets so called cultural events which decides people and make unknown income for the dictator.
So please keep being a voice to the voiceless.🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
Isaac
Alemseged
September 25, 2024 at 4:05 pm
Thank you Mr J.Rubn, we Eritreans need people like you who inform others the truth and advocates for justice. Your article is well said. It clearly showed the true nature of the tyrant in Eritrea. It is unheard of that Eritrea as a nation has been without a single university , with no freedom of speech, with no pure running water, no electricity and no puplic transportation and no service of internet. Please continue disclosing the behavior of the notorious Dictator Essay as Afwerki.
Thank you very much 😊
Awet Tsehaye
September 25, 2024 at 4:11 pm
Thank you Dr. Rubin,
The Eritrean people are hardworking people and don’t deserve such.
Indeed Eritrea is ruled by a ruthless and highly authoritarian regime under total control of dictator Isaias Afwerki. The Peoples Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) headed by dictator Isaias is the sole political party in Eritrea.
Commonly referred to as the North Korea of Africa, Eritrea is ruled by a totalitarian regime that continues to commit gross human rights violations including arbitrary and extra-judicial killings and torture, forced disappearance, indefinite detention of political prisoners and other citizens in harsh life-threatening conditions without due process, forced labor and indefinite national service, and severe restrictions on freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, and religion.
Here are a few of the many facts about Eritrea under the rule of dictator Isaias:
* NO constitution
* NO rule of law
* NO free press
* NO congress
* NO opposition
* NO election
Tesfu
September 25, 2024 at 5:34 pm
Dear Dr Rubin,
As a proud Eritrea American, I can’t thank you enough for speaking the truth to defend justice and human rights in this article as well as previous articles. As you know, the Eritrean government, known as one of the most repressive regimes that has been around for over 3 decades. Here in the US, Europe, and Israel it has unleashed “Fourth Front” to terrorize and kill justice seekers that oppose its brutal and lawless regime. For the last 33 years he has been telling us that the US is its number 1 enemy and blaming the US for all its failures. The unelected president wanted Russia to spearhead a war against the US and urged all African leaders to join him, which was a dilutional. The regime was the only county to stand by Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Now it has the audacity to tamper and test our court system in the US without shame by making baseless and fraudulent cases against Eritrean justice seekers as an effort to silence them. You would not let that happen. We thank you again for letting your voices heard. Thank you for standing for justice and human rights. Respect!!!
Yonas Woldu
September 25, 2024 at 6:19 pm
Dr. Rubin
You are spot on in your Analysis. I will share this with my Congress Representatives and State Department.
“The courts should be interested in not allowing themselves to be used by a dictator or groups that, by their actions, appear to act as his proxies. The State Department should also file a brief with the court explaining Eritrea’s methodology and strategies to target and neutralize opposition. Lawfare is simply its latest tactic.”
Ghenet Berhane
September 25, 2024 at 6:21 pm
Thank you Mr Rubin,
Well said!!
Eritrea is ruled under dictatorship, with
* NO constitution
* NO rule of law
* NO free press
* NO congress
* NO opposition
* NO election
* No freedom of speech
Habte Zekarias
September 25, 2024 at 7:43 pm
Well said Mr.Rubin ,thankyou for telling the truth.
Habte Zekarias
September 25, 2024 at 7:46 pm
Well said Mr Rubin. Thankyou for telling the truth.
H G Michael
September 25, 2024 at 8:45 pm
Thank You Dr. Robin for your continues support and exposing the notorious and Cruel Eritrean Dictator who has been ruling the country single handedly for the last 33 years.
Please continue your great work and expose as Eritrea is seeking desperately for such voice and support.
Habteab Feseha
September 25, 2024 at 8:57 pm
Thank You Dr. Michael Rubin, for your clear eyed view of the Eritrean totalitarian regime and your defense of justice and democracy. I am a proud Eritrean American as well like many of the people who commented. I have seen the deterioration Eritrea into a country whose productive work force flee in droves due to unbearable slavery type livelihood under the totalitarian regime of Isaias and his cronies and his puppets in USA are doing his dirty work while enjoying the democratic and stable life in USA. They ate trying to use the justice system of USA while denying justice to the Eritrean people. What a travesty!
Again thank you.
I am happy to see people like you who do not means words and speak the truth without being afraid of, the attacks and insults that may come their way. I want to encourage you to keep being the voice for the voiceless.
Very Respectfully
Habteab B. Feseha
Peteros Abraha
September 25, 2024 at 10:30 pm
Dear Dr. Rubin,
I wanted to take a moment to personally thank you for your unwavering commitment to justice and truth. Your extensive work in the Middle East, along with your dedication to exploring difficult and complex issues, is truly admirable. It takes immense courage and persistence to seek justice in areas that are often fraught with conflict and hardship.
Your insights have not only deepened my understanding but also serve as an inspiration to continue learning and standing up for what is right. I am deeply grateful for your contributions and your dedication to making the world a better place.
Thank you for being a justice seeker.
Warm regards,
Peteros
Daniel Berhe
September 25, 2024 at 10:38 pm
Everything they said those 8 individuals, I agree with them and I support what the couse it’s . ERITREA must be free from foreign and domestic enemy . 🙏
Peteros
September 25, 2024 at 10:40 pm
Dear Dr. Rubin,
I wanted to take a moment to personally thank you for your unwavering commitment to justice and truth. Your extensive work in the Middle East, along with your dedication to exploring difficult and complex issues, is truly admirable. It takes immense courage and persistence to seek justice in areas that are often fraught with conflict and hardship.
Your insights have not only deepened my understanding but also serve as an inspiration to continue learning and standing up for what is right. I am deeply grateful for your contributions and your dedication to making the world a better place.
Thank you for being a justice seeker.
Warm regards,
Peteros
Negassi Hadgu
September 26, 2024 at 12:23 pm
Dear Dr. Michael Rubin,
As an American of Eritrean origin, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your enlightening article, “Freedom on Trial: Eritrean Activists Face Legal Battles in America.” Your thorough examination of the challenges faced by Eritrean activists highlights not only the brutal realities of life under Isaias Afwerki’s tyrant regime but also the concerning implications of using U.S. courts as a tool for oppression.
Your insights shed light on a critical issue that deserves broader attention, and I appreciate your efforts to raise awareness about the plight of those fighting for freedom.
Thank you once again for your valuable work.
Best regards,
Hadgu Zigta
September 26, 2024 at 12:33 pm
Dear Dr. Rubin,
I hope this message finds you well. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your compelling article, “Freedom on Trial: Eritrean Activists Face Legal Battles in America.” Your incisive analysis of the challenges faced by Eritrean activists and the implications of legal maneuvers in the U.S. highlights a critical and often overlooked issue.
Your detailed exploration of the political dynamics surrounding Isaias Afwerki’s regime and the risks faced by those opposing it provides valuable insights. The connections you draw between diaspora actions and the broader struggle for freedom are particularly enlightening.
Thank you for your dedication to shedding light on these vital topics. I look forward to your future work and insights.
Warm regards,
Hadgu Zigta
Yordanos Beyene
October 3, 2024 at 3:05 am
Dear Dr. Michael Rubin,
Thank you very much for standing up for justice and human rights. A threat to democracy anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere.
Eritrean democracy advocates in the diaspora need the international community’s support as they fight against propaganda-filled festivals that prolong the Eritrean regime’s ruthless rule. Western courts should not be misused to bankrupt and silence pro-democracy movements. The recent brutal murders of three democracy advocates in Israel were also intended to intimidate and suppress the fight for justice. I hope human rights institutions will investigate these heinous acts.
Your article was spot on and timely—greatly appreciated. I’ve shared your message with key contacts in the US and Europe to help amplify its reach.