Aster Fissehatsion
Aster Fissehatsion | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1951 |
| Died | 2003 (unconfirmed) |
| Occupation | politician |
| Known for | Eritrean political prisoner of conscience |
| Political party | People's Front for Democracy and Justice |
| Spouse | Mahmoud Ahmed Sherifo (former) |
Aster Fissehatsion (Astier Fesehazion) (born 1951) was a former Eritrean freedom fighter, women’s rights activist and government minister who was arrested for criticizing president Afewerki and the government. Amnesty International considers her a prisoner of conscience. She is the former wife of former vice-president of Eritrea, Mahmoud Ahmed Sherifo.[1][2]
On 18 September 2001, she was detained indefinitely along with the other politicians of G-15, a group of prominent party officials who became known for a protest letter to President Afewerki. She has been detained in an unknown location ever since.[3]
Political life
She joined the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) in 1974 and became a leading figure in the struggle for independence in Eritrea. Following independence, she held the following positions: member of the Central Council of People's Front for Democracy and Justice (the political party that succeeded the EPLF); member of the National Assembly; Director of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.[1]
In 1996, Fissehatsion was dismissed from her job for criticising the increasingly authoritarian government, but was reinstated in 1999. In May 2001, she was one of 15 senior party officials, later known as the G-15, who published an open letter calling for "peaceful and democratic dialogue"; and calling on President Isaias Afewerki to adhere to correct parliamentary and governance procedures, hold internal party meetings, and keep the promises made by the PFDJ in respect of judicial reform.[1]
Arrest
She was detained indefinitely in September 2001 for being part of the G-15, a group which opposed the rule of Eritrean president Isaias Afewerki. [4] She is considered a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.[5] Since the arrest, various governments and organisations have sought the Eritrean government to release the arrested prisoners, most famously in a campaign by Amnesty International launched in 2011. [6] Amnesty International declared her and the other arrested persons as prisoner of conscience and sought immediate release of them.[5] She was the only woman out of the 11 who were detained and out of the 15 who opposed, three fled the country and one withdrew support.[7]
References
- ^ a b c Glenys Kinnock (28 February 2008). "It could have been me". New Statesman. Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 13 July 2012.
- ^ "Aster Fissehatsion, Eritrea". Inter-Parliamentary Union. 2025-11-28. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
- ^ "Aster Fessehatsion was arrested in 2001 and her whereabouts remain unknown". Amnesty International. 2019-09-19. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
- ^ Connell, Dan; Killion, Tom (2010). Historical Dictionary of Eritrea. Scarecrow Press. p. 421. ISBN 9780810875050.
- ^ a b "Eritrea: Prisoners of conscience held for a decade must be released". Amnesty International. 15 September 2011. Archived from the original on 3 December 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
- ^ "Eritrean Leaders Held Incommunicado for a Decade". All Africa. 15 September 2011. Archived from the original on 28 December 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
- ^ "Eritrea urged to free dissident Aster Fissehatsion". BBC. 15 September 2011. Archived from the original on 13 November 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2011.