Toronto city officials have cancelled a weekend of Eritrean cultural festivities due to outbreaks of violence and demonstrations by opponents of the Eritrean government. The clashes resulted in nine individuals being hospitalised and highlighted ongoing tensions within diaspora populations and human rights concerns, The Guardian reported.
The incidents in Toronto are part of a series of global skirmishes that have drawn renewed attention to human rights abuses in Eritrea and tensions among Eritrean diaspora communities. Similar confrontations occurred in Sweden, where over 50 people were injured, and in Seattle, involving Eritrean protesters who assert that such cultural events indirectly support the repressive Eritrean regime.
The Festival Eritrea Toronto, organised by a local group, faced challenges leading up to the event. The organisers sought protection from Toronto police to ensure a peaceful and festive atmosphere. However, on the morning of the festival, groups of protestors reportedly tore down tents and confronted attendees.
Danait Mehreteab, a festival attendee, reported that her father was seriously injured during the confrontations, allegedly singled out by protestors who tore down tents. According to her account, he was hit over the head with a metal rod and beaten while on the ground, requiring medical attention including 12 staples to his skull and a spinal fracture.
Police constable Laura Braban stated that officers responded to reports of damaged tents and a person carrying a knife. Despite the initial dispersion of protestors, a separate group armed with weapons returned to the park later in the day.
In response to the violence and concerns over public safety, city officials revoked permits for the Festival Eritrea Toronto. The city emphasised its commitment to providing a safe environment for park visitors and condemned all forms of violence.
Community groups, including the Eritrean Canadian Community Center of Metropolitan Toronto, expressed distress over the clashes. They raised concerns about the festival organisers' alleged ties to the Eritrean government and the impact on community members who have fled oppressive circumstances in their homeland.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the violence, describing it as "unacceptable." She highlighted the peaceful and joyous cultural celebrations that millions partake in annually in the city's streets and parks.
Critics of the festival argue that it serves as a propaganda tool to raise funds for Eritrea's government. They claim that the event, sponsored by the Eritrean regime, indirectly supports its military establishment through operatives in Toronto.
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Eritrea has long been criticised by human rights groups for its repressive practices. It has not held an election since gaining independence from Ethiopia three decades ago. Reports from refugees describe a police state marked by forced labour, military conscription, and widespread human rights abuses.
The incidents in Toronto have prompted investigations by local police, though no arrests have been confirmed at this time. Canada is home to over 36,000 individuals of Eritrean descent.
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