The Eritrean ‘Fourth Front’:  Festivals as a tool to control the diaspora

Riots broke out in The Hague on 17 February 2024. It is the latest in a string of clashes around the world involving pro-democracy and pro-government Eritreans. The latter group organises festivals, proclaimed to be cultural festivals, but which pro-democracy Eritreans state are in reality propaganda events; places were high-level Eritrean officials visit, where diaspora Eritreans go under pressure and threats, where military propaganda and hate speech are spread, and where Eritreans have to pay money to the Eritrean government. Now, a picture is emerging of a highly coordinated effort by the Eritrean government to control the diaspora, which it calls the ‘Fourth Front’, through militia-like structures, including Eri-Blood and Eri-Mekhete. 

Advocating for Refugee Data Rights: A Call for Safety and Security

In light of recent developments surrounding the EU’s EURODAC database, the urgent need for robust data rights for refugees has never been clearer. As civil society organizations raise alarms about the expansion of this database, which is increasingly being used as a surveillance tool rather than a protective measure, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of data rights in ensuring the safety and security of vulnerable populations.