G-15 (Eritrea)

G-15 is a name given to a group in Eritrea that opposes the policy of President Isaias Afewerki postponing elections and their failure in implementing the constitution. The membership of this group consists of former members of the President's ruling People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) which has ruled the country since its independence in 1993. In May 2001 the group issued an open letter raising criticism against Isayas Afeworki's actions calling them "illegal and unconstitutional."[1]

Of the 15 members of the group, 11 are imprisoned, three are now living in the United States and the last remaining one, Muhammad Berhan Belata, had left the group and rejoined the government. The 11 members who are imprisoned are thought to be charged with treason. The Central Office of the PFDJ believes that they share, "...a common guilt: at the minimum, abdication of responsibility during Eritrea's difficult hours, at the maximum, grave conspiracy."[2] Amnesty International named the imprisoned 11 prisoners of conscience and called for their immediate release.[3]

The list of the G-15[4] includes:

References
  1. "Service for Life". Human Rights Watch. 16 April 2009. p. 6 of 12. Retrieved 2 January 2009.
  2. Charles Cobb, Jr. (26 September 2001). "Eritrea: Party Puts its Case Against Dissidents". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2006-09-02.
  3. "Eritrea: Prisoners of conscience held for a decade must be released". Amnesty International. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
  4. Dorman, Sara. "Born powerful? Post-Liberation Politics in Eritrea and Zimbabwe" (PDF). UNHCR. Retrieved 2006-06-11.
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