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A short narrative of human rights struggle initiated spontaneously
In 2001, the capital of Eritrea, Asmara was so hot. Hot in many ways but particularly hot in democratic debates and discussions. During this the country was in a relative peace and calm after so horrible and devastating war. The people started to talk about Constitution, democracy, rule of law, election, political party and so many similar things. These callings have upset the government of Eritrea. Nevertheless, the government didn’t react immediately. It stayed for while to study who is who in the democratic debates. In the middle of these hot discussions, the nucleus of movement that exposed the nature of the tyranny in Eritrea was the university students’ movement.
STUDENTS IN TARGET:
“The University of Asmara students are like the general young Eritreans who pleasantly and contentedly perform their national service taking it as their national duty. Before the year 1999 the university students used to serve when they complete their second year studies. Almost all of the students were being assigned to the Ministry of Education to cover the shortage of teachers in the country.
After serving one year they return to complete the remaining two or three years studies. In 1999, the University administration changed its policy and it stopped sending students who completed their second year studies. Instead the students were sent when they completed all their academic studies at the university. After completing their one-year service, they returned for the graduation ceremony and subsequently went for a six months military training. After one year of civilian service coupled with the six months military training they complete National Service of 18 months, which is obligatory to every citizen aged between 18 and 40.
In the summer of 1999, the university administration together with the National Statistics office brought a new summer work of census for the university students. Without the knowledge of the students, the university announced this program and informed the students to attend the short training for the census. After the completion of the training, the students commenced their practical fieldwork, which was then suddenly stopped by the university. The students were then dispatched to Ali-Gidr, far west of the country, for a weeding of sorghum and cotton plantation. Despite the short preparatory time of three days, the students prepared themselves and went to the place. The sudden shift of the program indicates that either the census was not a well thought out programme or an indication of the regime's unpredictable nature. One important point to note here is that the regime is constantly keeping the students busy, unsettled and unsure of their next move in order that they are preoccupied with their own affairs and not to pay attention on how the government is running the nation.
During the academic year of 2000-2001 the university introduced a Summer Work Program (SWP), which was never before. It was at this time that the confrontation between the Students’ Union and the university reached at its highest level. The Union opposed the summer work programme, inter alia, on the grounds that they wanted to know what the summer work program was exactly and on what basis it benefited the students. The SWP was described as beneficial to the university students, plus the work was to be done during the summer break. Most students work to earn income, which is highly necessary to meet the essential costs that the students incur during the academic year. And those who have no immediate financial problem use the chance to prepare for the following year's studies.
During a Union meeting with the university president, Dr. Weleab Yesak, the university president clearly stated that he had no knowledge of the SWP but that he would discuss the matter with the Minister of Education (Osman Saleh). During this meeting the Unio
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