You are who you are

Minutes after seconds

Hours after minutes
Days after hours
Months after days
And years after months
They keep coming
And of course going
We notice them or otherwise
They do their routines
As we do ours
Those seconds or minutes
Or the big ones
Make you who you are
As you are who you are
The person you are
And the person others know
To be whom you are
The product of those seconds
And the minutes
The months and years

THAT VERY DAY

You flee your home country,
so as to seek sanctuary,
then you reach the host country.
you are either detained or dispersed,
lucky you if dispersed,
very unlucky if detained.
If you are the one who is dispersed,
you live in accommodation that is shared,
expected to integrate,
with people of your type,
from different walks of life,
background, language, culture,
religion and even common sense.
You may worry or the reverse,
about the cleanliness of the kitchen,
the bathroom and the toilet,
which you are meant to share.
Confused how to locate
the one stop shop that is nearest,
the office where you should report.
You are neither the boss nor the servant,
accept what life has brought.
And await for what tomorrow holds.
If you are the one who is detained,
you are by now who has despaired,
Still suffering from the trauma you faced.
Confused about the present,
And unsure of the future.
Forced to live in contemplation,
as you have to see life’s other version.
Believe that it is your destiny,
that takes you from country to country.
But have the faith and the strength,
as you await for better days.
Never despair, pursue the fight,
you need to be an optimist,
who has patience to see that day,
when you could speak loudly.

Written in April 2006

WE CAN WIN IF WE ARE ORGANISED!

On 13 October around 900 people organised by Citizens UK​ braved the cold weather and gathered at Old Palace Yard to ask David Cameron to resettle 1000 Syrian refugees before Christmas. All those gathered made it clear that the people are ready to welcome refugees. It now looks the government is ready too!

Today David Cameron announced that 1000 Syrian refugees will be resettled before Christmas. The announcement is indeed a big win for civil society and an encouragement to work harder. Of course we will have to wait and see whilst continuing our organised effort to welcome refugees

We still have lots to do to make sure the words are put in practice and that civil society has roles in the resettlement and consequently integration of those who are resettled.  

What makes organising distinct is the fact that we don't only campaign for the sake of campaigning. Rather we want to win and consequently put in place proper strategy to win the win. We thus come up with alternative solutions and campaign in a consistent way. This reminds me one of the maxims of community Organising in Saul Alinsky’s book Rules For Radicals, “Keep the pressure on. Never let up”

When Organised People Speak, The Government will be made to listen. 

WE THE PEOPLE ARE READY TO WELCOME REFUGEES

On Tuesday 13 October around 900 people gathered at Old Palace Yard, Westminster, London for a vigil and to ask David Cameron's government to resettle 1000 Syrian refugees before Christmas. This vigil was organised by Citizens UK, which is the home of community organising in the United Kingdom and the largest civic alliance in Europe. 

In the run up to the 2015 general election, community leaders organised by Citizens UK  approached prospective parliamentary candidates to seek support so that more Syrian refugees would be resettled in the United Kingdom. Further more, community leaders approached councils up and down the country to convince them to take at least 50 refugees in every council. 

In the past few months thousands of British people have shown their readiness and willingness to welcome refugees. They have offered their rooms, time, skills, friendship and money. Yet the response from the government has been too slow. As the Syrian crisis got from bad to worse and the public challenged the government, the British government announced that it would to take in 20000 Syrian refugees over the course of 5 years. 

Following the announcement, Citizens UK have been working all over the country to organise the civil society and secure pledges from more local councils and landlords, that they will house refugees once they arrive here in the UK. The response from the councils and the landlords has been encouraging and it was an indication that when the civil society acts in an organised way, the government and the market could listen. 

The October 13 vigil was attended by senior politicians, religious leaders and members of the public. Among the speakers was Tim Farron MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, who said, " You do not cling to the bottom of a moving truck risking everything if you are looking for an easy life." This is a powerful reminder to the government that people risk everything they have in their search for safety. Hence we cannot turn a blind eye to the crisis and therefore should play our bits as citizens of this world. 

The vigil which was entitled Resettle 1000 Refugees Before Christmas  was the first step to challenge the government to act in the sense of urgency and resettle the most vulnerable 1000 refugees before it is too cold.  

The people are ready to do what it takes to welcome refugees. It is down to the government to do what is right at the right time.

INCOME THRESHOLD HAVING IMPACT ON FAMILY LIFE

THE SPOUSAL VISA CAMPAIGN - JUSTICE FOR FAMILY LIFE!

Community leaders in different constituencies in London, Birmingham, Swansea and Cardiff are calling upon their MPs to support their call to peg the minimum income threshold in order to sponsor the settlement of a spouse or partner in the UK to the national Living Wage. 

The call from Citizens UK, national community organising charity representing over 350 civil society institutions, comes after the Government changed the rules in 2012 and raised the minimum income threshold to £18,600 per annum, placing the dream of a family life out of the reach of thousands of working people; 43% of British employees earn less than £18,600. The higher threshold was set in 2012, and increased dramatically, excluding a much larger number of people from bringing their spouses and children to join them in the UK.

The campaign to change the threshold level and peg it to the national Living Wage came out of thousands of face to face conversations with Citizens UK members from across the country who reported this as an issue affecting their communities.  A report from the APPG on Migration in June 2013 reported that family visas issued dropped by 16% and in some instances children and babies have been separated from a parent both in the UK and abroad.

The Revd Lucy Winkett, Rector of St James’s Church Piccadilly and Citizens UK member institution said: “We want the Government to review what we believe is an unfair and unjust decision that severely limits people from being able to live with their family, something taken for granted by most of us.

“We’ve heard story after story of husbands and wives separated because of this rule. We are asking for a compromise and for the threshold to be linked to the Living Wage. An annual Living Wage salary works out at £15,350 per annum and is recognised as a wage that allows people to support themselves and their family without becoming a burden to the taxpayer.

“Families would still bear the cost of the visa application and family visa recipients have no access to public funds. This isn’t about an open-door immigration policy, but about recognising what a fair figure would be. The Living Wage is a robust calculation that reflects the real cost of living in the UK.”

The campaigners from Citizens UK differ from some other groups, as they are calling for the threshold to be linked to the Living Wage, rather than the National Minimum Wage, and argue that the Living Wage calculation reflects the real cost of living.

Dilowar Khan, the Director of East London Mosque said: “The East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre fully supports this life changing campaign by Citizens UK. Families shouldn’t be separated because of the minimum income threshold set by government.”

“Many of our communities are built on spouses coming from abroad to support their families and children. It is a sad state of affairs to see many testimonies of families being kept separated, because they are unable to meet the income threshold.”

“Tying the threshold to the Living Wage makes perfect sense – and government really needs to take this into account, as it is a realistic figure. Strong communities and families are the backbone of all civilised societies, and we need to ensure citizens are supported to keep their families together.”

According to the Government’s own estimates almost 18,000 British people are prevented from being reunited with their spouse or partner in the UK every year as a result of the updated rules.

Professor Eleonore Kofman, Co-Director of the Social Policy Research Centre and Professor of Gender, Migration and Citizenship, Middlesex University said: "The level of income required is far too high and applied much too inflexibly so that many who have been caught by it are forced to live apart from their partners and their children; even though the family is clearly able to support itself without increasing the use of public funds. In fact, the reverse is the case; keeping the family apart makes reliance on public support more likely."

Campaigners recognise that linking to the Living Wage will still exclude a large section of the population but hope that this would be a step in the right direction and open up debate around the issue.

Nigel John, Senior Chaplin of Swansea University said of the campaign, “Families are meant to live together not apart. I support this campaign” 

Fellow Citizens UK member, Pastor Suzette Ashley, who is pastor of Taste of Glory Apostolic Ministry and also a health care assistant, explains: “My husband and I have been separated because my job as a health care assistant means I don’t earn enough to qualify for a spousal visa.

“I love my job, it is a real vocation, and you certainly don’t do it for the money. I work long hours and you are always being rushed from one job to the next, when all you really want to do is spend quality time with often lonely, vulnerable older people.

“I’m campaigning with Citizens UK because I believe that linking to the Living Wage is a much more sensible calculation. Even the Living Wage amount would be a struggle for me because of the sector I work in, but at least that figure makes sense to me.”

Citizens UK leaders across the country are sending Valentine cards to their local MPs this week and twenty delegations of Citizens UK members will be meeting their MPs armed with cards, flowers and chocolates to highlight the loneliness many separated couples are experiencing this Valentine’s weekend.

Pastor Ashley continues: “Everyone is talking about love and relationships this week which breaks my heart. The most important date I have this Valentine’s is with my MP to ask them to help us negotiate a change and give more people a chance at building a happy family.”

family is family

Family is family, we all agree,
Rich or poor, it still is family,
Race, colour, religion 
do not matter,
As in the eyes of others,
Family is family,
Why separate them from the loved ones,
From the loves of their souls,
For they don’t earn that much money,
£18600, £22400, £24800 are the numbers
Magic numbers that separate families,
Numbers that block reunions.
Numbers blocking family lives,
Bring down these thresholds
Align them at least to living wage,
To allow more families to live together,
The lives all deserve to have.

The Postman

Waiting for the man is our business,

Though he may or may not come.

He may come but pass our place without a glance.

This means he has nothing for us as usual.

We still wait for the following day,

To wait for the man who may or may not come,

Look through the window for the gentleman,

With whom we are all in love.

As if he was the one who would decide on what we all want.

That gentleman whom we all long to see may not be seen for days,

This is something unbearable,

Yet we have no basis to complain.

We simply wait and wait for the gentleman,

With whom we are all in love,

Though he does not know us at all.

He is yet our hero,

Our hero if he shows up with that message,

The message we all wait to receive,
The message we all want to hear.

The gentleman may turn up, but with messages for old occupants,

Or probably with the junk letters to which we are not interested

Or he may come up with some in our names,
without him knowing that he can make or break our day.
The man we adore so much is the postman.

Written in May 2009

Unity is the way

Ethiopians in all walks of life irrespective of political, ethnic or religious differences should unite and work together towards achieving their dreams in 2014 and beyond. Division helps only the few political elites who cannot live without it. Unity is power. Power is needed to work for change. We need to build relational power to work together; not power OVER others as it will no more work. If we want change, we need to change the way we do politics including the way we think about ourselves. We need to think in broader terms and see issues from different angles and perspectives. As someone born and raised in Ethiopia, I am an Ethiopian. I am also an African. As a British citizen who can work and live freely anywhere in Europe, I am also a European citizen. As a human being, I am part of the human family of this world. We should not waste our precious time and energy on unwanted and unhelpful arguments. What unites us is more than what divides us. When the late Nelson Mandela fought for freedom and justice, he fought for all South Africans. He liberated both the oppressed and the oppressors. He liberated people of all colours, race and backgrounds. Loving one another and working in unison should be the way forward for my fellow Ethiopians. To love is natural. As Martin Luther King once said, “Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.” Love and unity is what it takes to achieve the common good- democratic and strong Ethiopia.

The Diaspora Peoples' Assembly

                                                         

                                                              History happens only once

“We may have all come on different ships, but we are in the same boat now.” Martin Luther King​.

On Saturday 10th December 2011 we witnessed the making of history; more than 550 community leaders gathered at City Temple, London representing 50 Diaspora communities from across the United Kingdom. City Temple was site of a speech made by Martin Luther King nearly 45 years ago and 10th December was International Human Rights Day. It therefore made perfect sense that it was on this day and in this location that we held the inaugural Diaspora Peoples’ Assembly.

On a bitterly cold morning all those responsible for the day gathered bright and early ready to make their plans into a reality. Clad in smart dress and sharp suits one could easily tell something special was on its way. Some were on their phones texting, calling, posting messages on social media or even tweeting – all about nothing but about the Diaspora Peoples’ Assembly. History was in the making and it was for them to make sure as many people as possible were able to be part of the momentous occasion. It was like a family having made everything ready for the wedding of their beloved one and anxious about the reaction of guests. Will they come? If so, will they love it? Of course the action is in the reaction!

Those not preoccupied by their phones were decorating, testing, practising and rehearsing to make that day memorable. Yes they were all anxious to make the assembly a success; because history happens only once. As the day passed everything started to come together; of course some of those responsible for the event were still unsettled and hence the calling and texting continued until the eleventh hour. Delegations started coming one after the other and the first big batch to arrive was Shepresa of Albania, full of energetic and organised people. They were followed by the Chinese, Zimbabweans, Latinos, Ethiopians, Eritreans, Ghanaians, Somalis, Taiwanese, the Kurds, the Hazaras and many others from Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Whilst the delegations were taking their respective seats, VIP reception was taking place down stairs with mouth watering food served by the Bangladeshi Caterers.

The programme started with songs from Zimbabwe and Congo and a church choir from Ethiopia. It was amazing – eye catching and heart warming. It was followed by what makes Citizens distinct; the roll calls. This was especially important for most of those in the hall as they would see their flags being flown for the first time, or after many years. All those who made it to the stage loved it and showed their pride; communities were so happy and you could tell from their faces and shouts how important that moment was for them. The roll call was led in by the charming Chinese lion and led out by the Ethiopian Drummers.

The roll call was followed by recognition of leaders who worked hard to make changes happen. And subsequently by business and politics; leaders liaising with MET Police, the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner, Reliance, Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations Board and last but not least with Simon Hughes MP, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats​. Those who responded to “the asks” were willing to work with Citizens. It was hard to say no for them in front of such organised Citizens. My colleague says, “The bigger the turnout, the more powerful we are.” Yes we were powerful on that day and will be even more powerful in the future; because we have broken the silence.

I still have Simon Hughes MP in my eyes responding to the asks by British Overseas Citizens. Business done and relationships built.Then came the amazing garment of destiny; the giant flag. It was phenomenal! By far the best moment of the day. It changed the mood of the hall. The amazing singer sung about Diaspora power, some of those shouted while still others tried their best to touch the giant flag. Yet some were recording thimomentous occasion. They were right to do it as they needed their treasure because history was in the making and it happens only once.

Do we like it as it is?

Injustice having the upper hand
Benefiting those organised
In terms of state and market
How long should we wait
Suffering from these injustices
Taking everything as it is
In the world where we live
Crying on a daily basis
Leaving everything to fate
Background and culture
Or should we get organised and
Have our power at our hands
Stand up to these mighty bodies
The answer is one and same
Get organised and challenge
The state and the market
Bring justice to this world
Make it a place worth living
With lots of smile and love
Happiness and justice
And take the world to its place
A place of love instead of hate
A place of justice in stead of injustice
The kingdom of heaven brought down to earth
That is what we want to see
The world as it should be.
THE WORLD AS IT SHOULD BE!
 
Written in July 2011.                                                          

The Election that never was

“Mankind will never see an end of trouble until lovers of wisdom come to hold political power, or the holders of power become lovers of wisdom.” Plato.

It is very unfortunate that Ethiopians have not had the luck to have such leaders; they have rather been under the siege of TPLF/EPRDF for the past two decades which is on the verge of going to the third. Though the Ethiopian constitution has the following clause in its Article 38 (1) (C) “Every Ethiopian national, without any discrimination based on colour, race, nation, nationality, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion or other status, has the following rights, To vote and to be elected at periodic elections to any office at any level of government; elections shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free expression of the will of the electors. The clause remains only on papers as TPLF/EPRDF can translate the constitution in whatever way it wants to satisfy its power addictions and consequently quell dissenting voices. All leading human rights organizations and independent journalists had long made it crystal clear that the May 23 election in Ethiopia was going to be neither fair nor free. That is what the international community has once again witnessed; sham election which would give a rubber stamp to the power addict depots in Arat kilo who tell us that their achievements especially their double digit economic growth was the reason behind their dubious victory. All credible election observation groups have made it clear that the election was not free and fair; excepting the toothless African Union which has hailed the election. What can democracy and justice aspiring people expect from such an organisation which is a place for a cluster of African dictators. How can we say there was a free and fair election in a situation where there was no level playing field for the all the parties that chose to be part of the game? I wonder how we can have free and fair election in a situation where every thing is controlled by a ruling clique. How can we expect to have free and fair election where the electoral board, the security forces, the judiciary, the media both TV, Radio and printed are run by the ruling party. How can we have such an election while the leader of the main opposition is in jail and leading political figures are forced to go into exile and those at home threatened with imprisonment? How can we have free election while forcing independent journalist and human rights defenders into exile or threatening them with imprisonment? Of course beneficiaries of the governing party may tell us that the election in Ethiopia was free as far as they can achieve whatever they need and fill their hungry bellies. If someone genuinely believes that Ethiopia needs respect to human rights, democracy, independence of the judiciary, freedom of the press, and all other themes of democracy, then the argument would be whether the pre-conditions for these basic themes are available or not? Whether there is a level playing field for all political parties that choose to go to the polls. If those conditions were available, we know where the dictators would find themselves by now; not least The Hague. If those conditions were put in practice, then the tyrannical group would get its lessons from the Ethiopian people who are fed up with one party system which is not even different from the very secretive style of leadership we see in North Korea.

We have now seen concerns from the US and EU about the sham election. That is a good sign but not an end by itself. We want them to stick to their ideals and stand up to the truth. It will be very unfortunate if the government that clings to power through such a sham election is given a recognition by the West and everything goes ahead as normal in the not too distant future. Of course all the leading international human rights groups had long made it clear that the political space was so limited that there could not be a credible election in the Ethiopia; though their cries had fallen on deaf ears. It is high time for the West to stop its rhetoric and act for justice. Of course the Ethiopian government has made it clear that it wouldn’t bow to any pressure from the international community. But it still knows it can not live without their dollars, euros and pounds. The Ethiopian government says it wouldn’t bow to pressures because it knows that the west will get back to it sooner or later. It is only if such dictatorial regimes are punished for their hubris that they could learn. It is only by standing up to dictators that we can have a better world, where every one can relish his/her God given human rights. After all it is our own right that is being eroded by dictators and hence we must retake it. We need to seek the truth that our hearts know. As Mahatma Gandhi once put it, “Truth resides in every human heart, and one has to search for it there, and to be guided by truth as one sees it. But no one has a right to coerce others to act according to his own view of truth.”

Collection of poems

     

 Hole in the wall

Mama had a problem
Which is of financial
Took up the phone to make the call
London or New York should I call
Isn’t London cheaper to call?
Asked the old woman herself
As she believes to know western life
And remembers how money is pulled from the hole
The hole deep in the wall
She still recalls
Putting the cards
Hiding fingers
Typing numbers
How could they put money in the wall
For every passing individual
Mom is thinking about the hole
And is now making the London call
Hello my son
How is your life?
How are the people around
The buses, the trains
And the one that goes underground
Is that supernatural or man made
Mom continued asking questions
When did they build those places
Where were we then in those times
She had questions with no answers
The young man who was worried
Asked his mom why she had called
Mom was so quick to remember
To ask her son what to send her
I need only some money son
Which I should get very soon
The son answered politely
Telling mama there was no money
Explaining the slow down in economy
That made mama so furious
As she knows there is a hole so generous.
Hole in the wall so generous.
So generous for bye passers.

          MY MATES

On a bright afternoon in North London, I was in a tube to the centre.
Hurried to reach Victoria so as not to miss the coach; for the trip to Cardiff.
The guy next had an issue; an issue with which he was obsessed.
He then asked a question; mate what time is the match
Mate, it is the match of the day, he continued; as I looked a bit confused,
It is Arsenal versus Tottenham; The North London derby.
I think you are an Arsenal fun, he continued.
Of course I am an arsenal fun; though I didn't tell him that.
I don’t know why I kept so quite.
I was just listening; listening to what the gentleman had to say
I am for the Gunners, he added; as he prepared to get off; by the Finsbury park station.
He said to me see you later.
Showing me with his hand; that he was going to inject.
Some heat into the blood; in terms of a pint.
I gave him a warm good bye; for his being friendly.
Yet had to think about him; his dedication and freedom
Of thought and expression.
The Cardiff coach was ready; to take its passengers on board.
It was unusually full.
Do you mind my sitting next to you
I politely said to a guy who I think is a Welsh.
He gave me way to the seat by the window.
As I sat next to him and started reading a book
Which was written in Amharic; which is my tongue language,
Where are you from mate if you don’t mind, said the gentleman next.
I am originally from Ethiopia, I replied;
Oh gosh! Have you got rugby in Ethiopia, he asked.
I have no idea was my answer; as I had no clue whatsoever.
What Rugby is after all; it is running that we love.
There was a very good match last week, he continued.
The blues with Gloucester; which was the best match of the year.
In the millennium stadium; especially the try from John
That helped the blues have the dominance in the game.
Did you know that the match; was also international, he continued
I have never watched Rugby mate, I replied.
While at the same time showing interest; to know a little bit about it.
I asked some naive questions; as I didn't know what Rugby meant.
And the guy replied and made sure that I understood what he said.
I appreciated his effort to help me understand.
But at the same time I learnt that he was also in love
In love with Rugby to the bit
That gentleman must be around; around in the city.
As it is time for six nations; six nations in rugby.
The gentleman is in love; in love with rugby.

        My shyness

Let me question
Why I am shy
Is it nature
Religion or culture
Background or gender
Are there reasons
Why I am shy
Or is it man made
Or confidence,
Experience, exposure
Education or what is it
The reason for my being shy
I want to know
Why I am shy
As I feel shy
To remember that I am shy
And promise not to be shy
Yet it remains only promise
As I start to feel shy
As soon as I go into life
And have something in common
So what is it that makes me shy
Can I ask it again
As I am afraid of my shyness
As someone born to feel shy.

     My pillow, my bank

What did I hear the other day
Banks run short of money
Financial institutions go burst
The same is true for insurance
Do I worry about it
Or should I worry for my pillow
Which is my bank for what I have!
My pillow my bank
My bank is my pillow.

     Rush and run

Everybody runs,
Run, run, run.
Nobody says hi,
Or expects same.
They still run,
Rush and run,
Push and pass,
Run on stairs,
On escalators,
In the streets.
Some run down,
Others run up.
Some run in,
Others run out,
Some run east,
While others west.
Still others run
South or north
They all run,
Rush and run
The beauty of rush hours,
The beauty of busyness.
Run, run, run
Always run

What do they mean?

The stranger is to travel,
To move around in big city.
With no experience how to make it,
Taken by his deep thoughts.
How do I go to this place,
Train or bus should I use,
What do they mean when they say zones,
Are there cities within city,
Locating places and zones,
Knowing the price,
Buying the card
The Oyster,
From the machine or the office.
Checking the line,
The platform,
Boarding the tube,
Getting off the tube or changing,
Listening to the announcements
And reading same,
This is station X,
Change for line A,
The announcements come once again,
Attention please, attention please,
This is a security announcement.
The stranger is awakened,
His ears stand like nothing
As he gets more vigilant and worried.
There goes the announcement again,
Please keep you luggage with you,
And report unattended items,
And suspicious behaviour,
He recalls the announcements.
What do they mean when they say that,
Poses the question to himself.
As he gets more confused,
And contemplates to get off,
Yet he recalls the announcement,
Suspicious behaviour, as he recalls,
What do they mean when they say that,
The stranger looks around,
As he is more confused,
But no body looks that scared,
Different or Worried,
Is it only him who is scared,
Most are busy, busy reading,
Newspaper, book, magazine.
There come announcements once again,
This is station Y,
What a relief to reach at Y
He finally gets relived,
And awakened from his thoughts,
Before he even went to ask,
As to whether he should get off,
Or what do they mean when they say that,
Not knowing that the man next
Is a stranger Like himself.

Going for the unknown

I still remember
That very moment in my life
When I decided the unknown
Over the little known
Booking a place in a plane
Leaving behind the family
And close ones at home; and
Deciding to be part of the unknown
With optimistic view of the day
Having some hope
Which are yet to be dashed.
Leaving the home airport was frustrating
As it involved a lot of risk
I remember those prayers
Which I had done time and again
A prayer to escape home
A payer to keep the hungry lions silent
The journey was full of thoughts
Thoughts from childhood to present age
Thoughts that took me back and forth in time
Thought where hope and despair
Had to face one-another.
The arrival wasn’t bad
Though I didn’t know
Where I would finally end up
As destination was unknown
Life has now changed forever
For worse or better.
The airport was as huge as usual
Embracing people of all colour
Some looked familiar
While others confused
The way to the city wasn't easy
Using the underground trains
To a place not booked before
It is all keeping going
Going, going, going. going.
Following instincts and thoughts
How tough is it to prefer the unknown
Over the little known
To keep life on hold
On hold for unknown time and future
On hold for reasons little known.

Written in May 2009.

The talk is change


Obama talks change,
So does McCain,
Brown and Cameron.
Politicians talk,
So do students,
So too teachers,
So do others.
So what is wrong,
If those who seek sanctuary.
Talk change,
And voice their concerns,
On the change they all dream.
That allows work
And safeguards education,
That uses experience
and knowledge
And restores confidence
That goes for family union
And avoids family breakdowns
That encourages full participation
And helps to come out of misery
Many hoped for
Spoke about for years
This should come at last
For justice to prevail
For life to be normal
For that sends message for hard work
So as to pay back to the host
And discharge self responsibly
And get recognition and dignity,
That is the change we all dream.

Written in October 2008.

Commendable acts of Debre Tsion Church in London

I usually reserve Sundays for going to the church and visiting friends; but there is one place in the United Kingdom that gives peace to my mind; Rese Adbarat London Debre Tsion Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church in Battersea, which is given the utmost grace by our holy father God the almighty.

11 April 2010 was, however, totally different for the church as devout Christians and forward looking Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia witnessed the best the church could avail to its congregation. That is the program entitled “Yanten Lante” which means “Yours to you”. I have learnt that it has taken about five months to prepare for the program that took the hearts of all those who chose to be part of the event.

The program was widely advertised and all the necessary media outlets including the net were used. The leaflets which are eye and heart catching were placed almost everywhere and there was a lot of mouth advert which showed people’s commitment to the success of the program. Ethiopians had come from different parts of the United Kingdom, some travelling up to 7 hours. Many people had bought tickets in advance and were ready to be at the place well in advance, which is very unusual with the Diaspora community. That was why it was well attended and the hall could not be enough for all those who wanted to be part of the event and consequently history. Though we knew that the program would start at 2pm most of us were already at our seats a few minutes after 1pm. That was amazing. Many of those in the hall men, women and children had worn their traditional Ethiopian clothes. Others were in their suits and formal dressings. One could see the famous tricolour, green, yellow and red   , hand badges, sticks and signs almost everywhere. It added to the beauty of the event as anything that has the trio is always beautiful.

We could have a million and one reasons to tell why the event was different. To mention a few, the event was organised by people for people. It was one that involved renowned Ethiopian artists who gave their at most talent on their own initiative. It was an event organised in Europe for the first time in history. It was an event that was mainly organised to support the church which at times needs supports from its children. It was an event many people were moved by spiritually and showed the hunger of such an event. It was an event which united artists and ordinary folks for the common good. I could go on putting my reasoning. To put it in simple words, it was an event which was a success by all standards. Of course I understood that there were many people who could not enter the hall as it was at its maximum capacity. That was why the organisers and the artists made it clear that the program would be repeated at the church on Sunday 18th of April for free.

The hymn presented by London based legends such as Girma Teferra, Hirut Bekele, Kesintu Dejene, Yezina Negash and many other prominent artists had moved all those in the hall. The short liturgical play which was played by Behailu Nekatibeb and his team was also equally moving. Every artist had accomplished his/her mission and that was why the artists and organisers received standing ovation that lasted for more than 10 minutes from the audience. We owe the artists and organisers of the event a lot for making such a wonderful event happen and for bringing us together. The message from the head of the Church Aba Komos Girma Kebede was as always very clear. He asked all those in the hall and beyond to come together to help the church and those who need our help as that is part of the true Christian value. He is right to say that the church which we all love is there as a place of worship and good doing for the current and many more generations to come. The program which was successful by all standards was over around 8pm. It is my and many other people’s hope that the DVD of the event comes out in the not too distant future so that people all over the world be part of the blessings while supporting people’s church by buying the original copies of the DVD as it comes out. Well done to the organisers once again.

London protests against the Ethiopian tyrant- Meles Zenawi

Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia came out in large number to protest against Meles Zenawi, the dictatorial leader of Ethiopia, who came to London on March 31st 2010 to co-chair the new High-level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing as he has been selected to the position by the miss informed Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon. Despite the cold and chilly weather the protesters descended to Downing Street from different parts of the United Kingdom and spent more than 7 hours chanting slogans and distributing leaflets to passer-bys that reveal the barbaric acts of the Ethiopian tyrant and his government.

The demonstrators demanded the British government not to support the tyrannical regime of Ethiopia as the latter uses the British taxpayers’ money to suppress dissents. The protesters questioned the quite diplomacy British has been following towards Ethiopia and mentioned about the newly released human rights report of the foreign and common wealth office of the United kingdom which didn’t dare to mention the human rights abuses in Ethiopia. When the Ethiopian tyrant arrived at the gate of the Downing Street, he couldn’t have the courage to see the protesters.

The organisers then delivered petition to the office of the United Kingdom’s prime minister and continued their protest until the Ethiopian dictator left the place. Despite the fact that the organisers of the demonstration had been allowed to stage the protest up to 4pm, the protesters waited until the Ethiopian despot came out and showed him what he deserved.

ETHIOPIANS IN LONDON COMMEMERATE PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE

A Dinner party to commemorate Ms. Birtukan Midekssa, leader of the main opposition party in Ethiopia and other prisoners of conscience took place in London on Sunday 23 August 2009. The event was organised by civic groups and prominent Ethiopian human rights activisits in the United Kingdom. It was a wonderful opportunity to show solidarity to those imprisoned in Ethiopia because of their efforts to exercise their God given human rights. The renowned Ethiopian artist Shambel Belayneh and other artists enlightened the event with live music. The event was well organised and once again showed Ethiopians’ and friends of Ethiopia united for basic human rights, good governance and democracy in Ethiopia, which are only dreams under the current tyrannical regime. Please have a look into the folowing link for more details: http://abbaymedia.com/News/?p=2808

London remembers those killed and demands justice for detained human rights activists in Ethiopia

Human Rights Advocacy colleagues including Daniel Vincent and our own Andragachew Tsege

Ethiopians, friends of Ethiopia and human rights activists staged a vigil on November 1, 2007 in front of the Ethiopian Embassy in London to commemorate those massacred, imprisoned and disappeared innocent citizens following the disputed May 2005 election. The demonstrators demanded the Ethiopian regime to stop its outrageous actions in Ogaden and expressed their deep sorrow over the tragic events taking place in the region and their solidarity to those suffering from these inhumane actions.

The demonstrators also requested the tyrannical regime of Ethiopia to unconditionally release Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie, human rights activists detained for two years without verdict. It is to be remembered that the kangaroo court in Ethiopia adjourned the trial of Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie for 22 November, 2007.

Mr. Daniel Bekele and Mr. Netsanet Demissie are human rights activists detained in Ethiopia since November 2005. Daniel Bekele, 40, was head of Policy, Research and Advocacy at Action Aid Ethiopia. Prior to his latest post, he had worked as a lawyer and played active roles in the Ethiopian Bar and the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Associations.

Daniel graduated from the Addis Ababa University with a BA degree in Law in 1989. He obtained a Masters degree in 2001 with concentration on Development Studies and later won a Master’s degree in legal research at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

Daniel worked on different capacities including Global Goal to action against Poverty and was a member of the executive committee of an NGO network monitoring the contested parliamentary elections of 15 May 2005.

He was arrested on November 1, 2005 and accused of outrage against the Constitution and the constitutional order. The court adjourned his trial for 22 November, 30 Nov, and subsequently for 24 Dec. 2007.

Nestanet Demissie, 29, was a co-founder and Chief Executive of the Organization for Social Justice in Ethiopia (OSJE) that aimed at fostering Democracy through Education, Policy Making and Advocacy. Prior to the founding of OSJE, he served as a co-director and editor of The Ethiopian Legal Directory's annual publication. He was an assistant judge in the civil bench for two years. He had also co-written a National Civic and Ethical Education Text for students from 10-12th grade. Netsanet graduated from the Addis Ababa University with a BA degree in Law and did further studies in Peace and Conflict Transformation in Austria.

Netsanet worked on the Global Call to Action against Poverty in Ethiopia. He hosted the Secretariat and played a leading role in the NGO network monitoring the contested parliamentary elections of 15 May 2005. Netsanet was arrested on November 8 2005 and is charged with outrage against the Constitution and the constitutional order. The court adjourned his trial for 22 November, 30 Nov, and subsequently for 24 Dec. 2007. Amnesty International has called the two human rights activists as prisoners of conscience.

We urge peace loving people all over the world to call upon the Ethiopian government to release the detained Human Rights Activists without any condition.  "Injustice somewhere is injustice every where." 

Here are more pictorial information of the event:

Justice shall prevail in Ethiopia.