For Immediate Release
October 3, 2016

Eritrean American Community Expresses Outrage at Latest State Department Action

The National Council of Eritrean Americans (NCEA) is dismayed to learn about the cancellation of the public meeting that was scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, October 2, 2016 with members of the Eritrean government delegation.

It has also learned that the forum organized by the Atlantic Council where the Political Advisor to the President of Eritrea was invited to address was also cancelled. Various think tanks, civic organizations, and media outlets were invited to participate in the event.

These actions taken by the US State Department violate fundamental rights of Eritrean Americans as citizens of the United States, including their freedom of assembly. It illustrates this Administration’s contempt for the Eritrean American communities across the United States, and contravenes international initiatives to foster closer relations between states and their Diaspora populations.

This latest unprovoked act by the US State Department is a continuation of the unjustifiable hostility against the people of Eritrea. This is yet another obstruction to the much needed constructive engagement between the two countries.

The NCEA will closely follow the developments and issue updates.

The National Council of Eritrean Americans
Washington, D.C.
October 2, 2016