Anti-Eritrea gov. protesters attack Stockholm festival, 100+ arrested

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
4 Aug 2023 09:01

Opponents of the Eritrean government have reportedly engaged in tearing down tents and setting cars on fire, leading to the arrest of approximately 100 individuals in Stockholm.

Police said they had opened an investigation into violent rioting and arson as well as obstruction of the work of police and rescue services. (AP)

Over 50 individuals sustained injuries and dozens of others were arrested in Stockholm when protestors against the Eritrean government forcefully entered an event organized by government supporters.

The incident reportedly occurred after approximately 1,000 authorized anti-government demonstrators breached a police barrier, causing damage to festival tents, and setting booths and vehicles ablaze.

“Another public gathering took place close to the festival site, during which a violent riot broke out,” police said.

The police added, in a statement, that they had detained “around a hundred people”.

The police presence persisted in the suburb northwest of Stockholm, as they reportedly continued their endeavors to prevent further "criminal activities and restore order".

According to a police spokesperson, between 100 and 200 individuals were apprehended. Additionally, the authorities launched an investigation into charges of violent rioting, arson, and obstructing the work of law enforcement and emergency services.

Police further reported that at least 52 individuals required medical attention either at the site of the incident or at local clinics and hospitals. By 7 pm (15.00 GMT), 15 people had been transported to the hospital, as stated by the Region Stockholm healthcare authority in a separate announcement.

Among them, eight suffered from serious injuries, while the remaining seven sustained minor injuries. The healthcare authority confirmed that multiple units were dispatched to the scene.

It is worth noting that Sweden is home to a substantial number of individuals with Eritrean origins. The festival celebrating Eritrean cultural heritage is an annual event that has been taking place since the 1990s. However, it has faced criticism from Swedish media, which alleges that the festival is being used as a promotional tool and a means of raising funds for the Eritrean government.

“This is not a festival, they are teaching their children hate speech,” protester Michael Kobrab said as quoted by Swedish broadcaster TV4.

Emanuel Asmalash, a participant in the festival, spoke to TV4 and accused the protestors of being "terrorists" from Ethiopia.

However, it is essential to acknowledge that racism and discriminatory policies against migrants from Eritrean roots or any other background are highly concerning issues that have been faced by various countries, including Sweden.

There have been reported instances of criticism and allegations of discriminatory practices in the Swedish migration system, which have disproportionately affected migrants with Eritrean origins.

This includes challenges in obtaining asylum and prolonged waiting times for processing applications. Human rights groups and activists have called for greater scrutiny and reforms in Sweden's immigration policies to ensure fair treatment and protection of the rights of all migrants, regardless of their country of origin.

The lasting impact of colonialism

Eritrea's colonial history is a complex tale of foreign powers asserting control and influence over the region. During the 19th century, Eritrea was of strategic interest to European colonial powers due to its strategic location along the Red Sea coast. The area was initially under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, but in the late 19th century, it fell under Italian colonial rule.

Italy formally established its colony in Eritrea in 1890, and for the next several decades, the Italians developed the region's infrastructure and economy to further exploit the country, but their rule was marked by repression and exploitation of the local population.

During World War II, British forces occupied Eritrea, and after the war, the United Nations placed the territory under temporary British administrative control. In 1952, the UN federated Eritrea with Ethiopia, despite Eritrean demands for independence. This arrangement was not well-received by the Eritreans, and tensions escalated, leading to the annexation of Eritrea by Ethiopia in 1962.

The annexation sparked a decades-long armed struggle for independence, led primarily by the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF). After a protracted and bitter war, Eritrea finally gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993. However, the legacy of colonialism and the subsequent conflict has had a lasting impact on the nation, shaping its political, social, and economic development. Eritreans found themselves obliged to migrate to other countries in pursuit of a better life.