Birthright of Eritreans

On the late Naizghi Kiflu, in accordance with my Tewahdo religion and my cultural and traditional upbringing, I give my condolences to his family and his close friends.

History will judge the role that Naizghi played in the Eritrean national liberation struggle, both good and bad, along with that of the top echelons of the despotic PFDJ. There is plenty of time for that summation and reflection. This is not the time though. 

The burial of the corpse of Naizghi in Eritrea is a different matter; it is no longer an issue that concerns only his family. The PFDJ itself decided to politicize this issue. This is an extremely abnormal situation. Though in Eritrea under the PFDJ regime,  the abnormal has become the "normal."

The PFDJ can deny Naizghi's corpse from being laid to rest in the Patriotic Cemetery in Asmara for whatever ill conceived reason it may have. There is no need to contest that point. However, it cannot legally deny his corpse from being put to rest in its ancestral and home village, around Mendefera in Eritrea. The PFDJ has no respect of the law, be it our traditional laws the "Highi E'Nda Aba" or the rule of law as stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The denial of the corpse from resting in its home village in Eritrea is a violation of its God given birthright. It is a violation of the rule of law.  No state has a right to illegally take away the birthright of any Eritrean.

The violation of the legal birthright of one Eritrean, irrespective of who that Eritrean may be, is a violation of the legal  birthrights of five million Eritreans. This is immaterial whether that Eritrean is good or bad, is a criminal or an innocent person, is a naive or a wise and accomplished person, is a supporter of the government or is an enemy of the government.   We have to be firm and consistent on our principles. The rule of law has to protect all of us, that includes groups whom we may consider are our "enemies."