Protests in #Israel staged by asylum seekers from Africa | World news | theguardian.com
▻http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/22/protests-israel-asylum-seekers-africa
Thousands of asylum-seekers who entered Israel illegally from Sudan and Eritrea have staged protests outside UN offices and foreign embassies in Tel Aviv, accusing Israel of neglecting its responsibilities under the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees. At the same time, supporters held parallel protests at Israeli embassies in 12 capitals, including London, Washington and Paris.
“We left our homeland and our beloved families because of intimidation, persecution and genocide,” said Filmon Rezene, 26, who said he risked death if he returned to his native Eritrea. Rezene escaped in a jailbreak six years ago after he was imprisoned for questioning the military’s role in his university studies. Three years ago, he was smuggled into Israel over the border with Egypt, across the Sinai desert after a long journey via Ethiopia, Sudan and Libya.
“We are demanding that the UN Human Rights Commission and the international community intervene to stop Israel arresting asylum seekers in the street and make sure there is transparent and fair processing of our requests for refugee status,” he said.
