WRITTEN EVIDENCE SUBMITTED BY DR SELAM KIDANE

(TRUK0007)

Research Findings and the Impact of Transnational Repression
My research highlights several key findings that illustrate the broad scope of transnational repression within the Eritrean diaspora:

1. Coercion and Surveillance through Cultural Festivals:
   Initially intended as celebrations of Eritrean heritage, festivals have been increasingly used by the Eritrean government to surveil, intimidate, and control the diaspora. These festivals serve as sites for the collection of funds and platforms for the dissemination of state propaganda. The participation of community members is framed as a patriotic duty, with dissenters being labelled as "enemies of the state." This social pressure often leads to self-censorship and discourages opposition activities.
2. Ethnic Scapegoating and Political Polarisation:
   The Eritrean government strategically uses ethnic scapegoating to divide the diaspora and weaken resistance. Tigrayans, in particular, are frequently targeted as agents of external enemies, fuelling divisions between different ethnic groups within the Eritrean community. The government's ability to create and exploit these ethnic divides has further fragmented the diaspora, making it harder to mobilise against authoritarian practices. This tactic of divisiveness is particularly harmful, as it undermines solidarity and makes collective action difficult.
3. Psychological Impact and Re-traumatisation:
   The psychological toll on Eritrean diaspora members is considerable. Many members of the diaspora, particularly those who fled recent repression, experience re-traumatisation due to the regime's surveillance tactics. Constant threats of harm to family members still in Eritrea and the fear of being labelled a dissenter exacerbate existing conditions like PTSD and anxiety. These pressures stifle activism and discourage open opposition to the regime, further entrenching fear and isolation within the community.

Evidence on the Tactics Employed by the Eritrean Regime
The Eritrean government's methods of transnational repression are multifaceted and deeply entrenched. These include, but are not limited to, the following tactics:

1. Diaspora Tax (2% Tax):
   The regime continues to extract the 2% diaspora tax from Eritreans living abroad, including students and people on state benefits. This tax is not voluntary but is enforced through coercion. Those who refuse to pay face severe social ostracisation, threats against their families back home, and denial of consular services. As noted in UN Security Council Resolution 2023 (2011), the Eritrean government uses both direct and indirect means, including threats of violence, to collect this tax. The failure of the UK government to fully implement the provisions of this resolution has allowed the Eritrean government to continue these coercive practices.
2. Surveillance and Intimidation:
   The regime operates through a network of informants and diaspora associations that report on the activities of Eritreans abroad. These networks are often coordinated through Eritrean embassies and consular offices, and they extend the reach of the regime’s surveillance apparatus beyond Eritrean borders. Members of the diaspora are monitored for any signs of dissent, and those who speak out against the government face retribution in the form of threats, harassment, or even detentions. For example, individuals travelling to Eritrea, including those going to bury loved ones, may face detention upon arrival, based on reports compiled through diaspora networks coordinated within the embassies. This tactic not only intimidates those who return but also serves as a deterrent for anyone considering travel back to Eritrea.
3. Coercion via Cultural Festivals:
   The regime uses festivals as opportunities to extract funds and further indoctrinate the diaspora. These events are often framed as patriotic acts, where Eritreans are expected to demonstrate loyalty to the regime. Opposition groups that attempt to disrupt these festivals are accused of betraying the community and are subjected to public shaming. The increasing impact of these events is evident in recent media reports, such as the coverage by The Guardian [1]and BBC News[2], which highlight violent protests and confrontations at Eritrean festivals abroad. In some cases, government loyalists have formed para-military groups (such as Eri-Blood or ‘52’) that operate within Europe, using threats and violence to suppress opposition to the regime. Additionally, the regime uses anti-Western rhetoric as a tactic to solidify its control over the diaspora. By framing the West as the enemy and instilling hostility towards democratic values, the regime further isolates refugees from broader society, encouraging them to reject the host country's norms and values.
4. Exploitation of Diplomatic Networks:
   The Eritrean government leverages its diplomatic presence in host countries like the UK to continue its grip on diaspora members. Consular staff and embassy officials engage in activities that go beyond providing basic services, often acting as enforcers of regime loyalty. Members of the diaspora are pressured to support the regime or risk losing access to vital consular services such as passport renewals or the ability to manage affairs in Eritrea. This creates a coercive environment where loyalty to the state is tied to access to fundamental rights.

Impact on Victims and Wider Communities
The impact of these tactics on individuals and communities is profound:

1. Psychological Burden:
   Many members of the Eritrean diaspora suffer from ongoing trauma, particularly those who fled political repression or forced conscription. The constant surveillance, the threat of harm to loved ones back home, and the pervasive culture of fear weigh heavily on their mental health. Many individuals feel trapped between their desire to resist and the real dangers posed by the regime.
2. Community Fragmentation:
   The regime’s tactics of surveillance, ethnic scapegoating, and coercion have deeply fractured the Eritrean diaspora. Families are torn apart by ideological divides, with some members supporting the regime and others opposing it. These fractures make it difficult to mobilise a unified resistance, as members of the diaspora are often more focused on self-preservation than on collective action.
3. Isolation and Disempowerment:
   Victims of transnational repression often experience a sense of isolation and disempowerment. The inability to openly protest or speak out against the regime for fear of repercussions creates a sense of helplessness. This, in turn, discourages engagement with the wider community or participation in political activism.
4. Impact on Refugee Integration and Community Cohesion

The Eritrean regime’s tactics of transnational repression significantly hinder the integration of refugees into British society. By isolating refugees and restricting their participation to government-sanctioned activities, the regime fosters an environment of fear and repression that prevents meaningful engagement with broader UK society. This isolation not only exacerbates the sense of separation from the host community but also encourages refugees to internalise anti-Western rhetoric, which the regime uses to further solidify its influence and control. The regime’s ability to manipulate refugees into rejecting the values and norms of the host country undermines their social cohesion and integration. As a result, refugees are left in a state of vulnerability, unable to build new social connections or access community resources, and their opportunities for successfully rebuilding their lives are severely constrained.

Recommendations for Government Action
The UK government must take concrete steps to address these abuses and protect the Eritrean diaspora from continued repression:

1. Acknowledge Transnational Repression:
   The UK must publicly recognise the Eritrean government’s use of transnational repression and take steps to ensure that these tactics are no longer tolerated within the UK.
2. Strengthen Legal Protections:
   The UK should enforce the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 2023 and introduce specific legislation to protect diaspora communities from coercion, surveillance, and intimidation. This could include criminalising the collection of the diaspora tax through coercive means and providing legal protections for individuals facing threats from the regime.
3. Provide Support to Victims:
   The UK government should ensure that victims of transnational repression have access to support services, including legal aid, mental health services, and avenues for reporting abuses. Furthermore, a specialised police unit should be established to investigate and address cases of transnational repression.
4. Refugee Protection:                                                                                                   The UK government must strengthen its mechanisms for protecting refugees and asylum seekers fleeing repressive regimes, ensuring they have access to necessary support services, legal assistance, and community protection. Simultaneously, the government should enhance measures to monitor and act against individuals who misuse the asylum process, particularly those who may support the very regimes they claim to flee. This includes ensuring that such individuals do not use the asylum system as a cover for intimidating or surveilling other diaspora members, or engaging in coercive or manipulative activities on behalf of authoritarian regimes. Effective safeguards and investigative procedures should be put in place to detect and address these abuses without compromising the integrity of the asylum system.
5. International Collaboration:
   The UK must collaborate with other democratic countries to share best practices in addressing transnational repression and hold the Eritrean government accountable for its actions abroad.

Conclusion
Transnational repression is a serious and ongoing issue for the Eritrean diaspora in the UK. The Eritrean government's tactics of coercion, surveillance, and ethnic division are deeply harmful to the mental health and social cohesion of the community. The UK government must take urgent action to protect these individuals from further harm and to prevent the continued exploitation of diaspora communities for political and financial gain.

(Feb 2025)