Ethiopian girls as young as thirteen are being trafficked to the Middle East. The situation is so out of control that an otherwise pro-government publication has felt compelled to speak up.
This is not a small rogue operation. It is human trafficking on an industrial scale, with a wink and a nod from the Ethiopian government. According to various news reports, up to 45,000 Ethiopian women are trafficked each month to Saudi Arabia alone.
Ethiopia’s ruling group is only interested in the foreign exchange earnings generated on the backs of these vulnerable women. The Obama administration remains silent on this issue because the war on terror and alliance with an African tyrant is deemed more important than the lives of millions of poor Ethiopian women.
A blind date with destiny
By Ethiopianreporter.com
June 9, 2012
Presently thousands of Ethiopians in their youth are flocking to the Middle East. A person who happens to be at the immigration authority or at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs here in Addis Ababa is bound to be surprised by the throng of young women they witness teeming in and around the offices of these institutions.
For an onlooker the women seem to be gathered to stage a protest or to celebrate some kind of event, and not to obtain the documents needed to leave the country for work.
Nobody, including us, is arguing that Ethiopians should not be allowed to go abroad and earn their living by selling their labour. This is a right they enjoy.
This said, we are of the firm belief that when Ethiopian citizens travel overseas in search of a job they must do so in compliance with all requirements and their rights and dignity must be protected; they should not be subjected to any degrading treatment that brings shame and dishonor both on themselves and their country. It’s only when the benefits far outweigh the downsides that they should work abroad.
The reality, however, is far from this. The majority of the young women that embark on completing the formalities required to go overseas for work are underage girls recruited by crooked dealers from the rural parts of the country who lie about their ages to obtain a passport. Some are as young as thirteen or fourteen. This is disheartening, to say the least.
Though these young women are informed that they will work as maids in Middle Eastern countries, most of them have no knowledge about the cultures and traditions of the countries they will travel to and are unskilled in the tasks they are expected to perform; they do not receive any training or orientation. This compounds the problem.
Given that they have no clue about urban life, they encounter all sorts of difficulties from the moment they arrive at the capital. They do not know what time to come to the airport for departure or where to go to once they get there, making them liable to various forms of ill-treatment. They begin to experience humiliation right at home.
The indignity does not end there, though. It follows them to their country of destination as well. They are not provided with adequate shelter upon arrival. And as they are compelled to surrender their passports, they cannot return home whenever they wish. Aside from this they endure both physical and mental abuse, which result in the untimely death of some and forces others to resort to crime.
To make matters worse there are reports that Ethiopian workers are being abducted and threatened with death if their families do not pay a ransom. Families that expect their daughters to send some money are on the contrary selling their cattle and other prized possessions to save the lives of their beloved ones and becoming even poorer than they already are.
Reports also abound of Ethiopian refuges being misled about where they are migrating to and ending up as forced labourers, prostitutes or victims of organ harvesting. As a result they are suffering from a nervous breakdown, committing suicide or turning to crime.
All in all Ethiopian workers overseas or refugees who flee in search of a better life are subjected to egregious abuses that have terrible consequences and are a source of utter shame for them, their families and their country.
Why is this happening to us? Isn’t there something we can do about it?
There is and there should be. The responsibility of finding a holistic and prompt solution, understandably, rests on the shoulders of the government. This calls for it to conduct an in-depth analysis of the nature and cause of the problem as well as the policies and procedures currently in place and come up with a comprehensive solution.
On our part we believe the centerpiece of the government’s obligation in this regard should be to formulate and execute policies and plans aimed at enabling the youth in Ethiopia to improve their livelihood right at home without having to go abroad.
Alongside this the government needs to ensure that when it is determined that citizens and the country stand to benefit from the migration of labour it properly regulates the whole process so that unscrupulous human traffickers do not cause the harm they are inflicting on citizens and the nation. Issuing a statement declaring that such and such number of Ethiopians have left the country for work does not amount to discharging one’s duties as a government. Accordingly it is important to establish in addition to and independent of the immigration authority and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs a government agency tasked with ascertaining that citizens desirous to go abroad for work have attained minimum age, are healthy and receive the requisite training as well as with monitoring whether their rights and benefits are respected and, when necessary, facilitating their return home in a dignified manner.
Generally speaking we should not be blinded by the hard currency Ethiopian workers or refugees remit. We need to remind ourselves of the physical, emotional and financial toll it takes on the workers/refugees and their families as well as the humiliation and indignity it subjects Ethiopians and their country to.
Let’s not sell out our citizens’ dignity for the sake of the income derived from selling their labour.
31 thoughts on “Ethiopian girls as young as 13 trafficked to Mid East: Reporter”
Ethiopian Review should be commended for this timely piece. The TPLF regime is obviously blinded by hard currency it aspires to earn from this clearly criminal act. It is a clearly criminal act because it defies the minimum age stipulated by the International Labor Organization (ILO)which Ethiopia is signatory to. Human traficing is also a crime under the UN Human Rights convention, which again Ethiopia is signatory to. Needless to reffer to Ethiopia’s legislations, because TPLF’s disregard of the very constitution it has imposed on the Ethiopian people is universally recognized.
Besides what is recommended by the author of the article, if the TPLF regime had the slightest concern for the Ethiopians being exported to Arab countries where they are subjected to inhuman treatments, the least it could do was to establish effective Labor Atache offices under the embassies it runns in these Arab countries. These possibility could not be unknown to the TPLF regime because it’s a long established mechanism which states benefiting from workers’ remitance maintain to guard their citizens’ rights and well being. The question here is: does the TPLF regime, which clearly is an accomplice in this crimimal act, interested in the wellness of these unfortunate citizens?
peace replies:
June 12th, 2012 at 2:21 PM
For TPLF copying the bad deeds of countries that happen to develop very well countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, India, these countries have prospered but there are many atrocities in the country especially Thailand as young as 10 as prostututs. This is how TPLF defines development by copying the bad deeds of other countries such as prostitution, human trafficking, corruption. This is how they aspire to in order to develop Ethiopia. While Ethiopia is developing such bad policies above in Ethiopia, these countries are turning around and changing and correcting things. For instance, India’s untouchables is being stopped now, they are also being challenged on corruption by their own people. China has already brought the poor to middle class. For us, we didn’t experience mass trafficiking, prositutioun or corruption until TPLF came. Apparently they want to apply bad policies that other countries are trying to stop where as TPLF is going backwards. Rather than developing from what already exists, such as ethics, no corruption, no trafficking, they totally chose to turn Ethiopia upside down making more enemies for themselves and committing such bad policies. This therefore has nothing to do with development but being enemies of Ethiopia as simple as that. By the way while those countries I mentioned above may have the corrutpion, etc, they have made sure their people are tolerant of eachother and they don’t do the divide and rule. TPLF does the opposite. This indicates the contempt TPLF has towards the people and Ethiopia.
The so called passive Ethiopians both inside Ethiopia and outside are in fearful of this rogue government or believe they are still doing good for the country, what development so that we should be quite when illegal and haenious crimes is being committed on Ethiopians? The beneficiaries Ethiopians within and the diaspora would like us to be passive perhaps for their own fear or benefit. The issue is for how long are Ethiopians remain to be indifferent especially the mass trafficking of Ethiopians? Is this the development we are talking about, or ethnic federalism that is “benefiting” all (being sarcastic), or what? this better be a wake up call. Not ONE crime should be tolerated on Ethiopians. That is why we have been barking against Mengistu why should this rogue government be given different treatment? For how long are Ethiopians watching this while being disunited, god knows. Today it could be the poor Ethiopians’ daughters being trafficiking soon, as wealth is power, they will come after the elites especially who are from different ethnic groups perhaps. So we might not react because we are all of the sudden since 20 years this TPLf took power we have become insincere, indifferent, because of predatory capitalism, which is very individualistic. It is being observed all over. The social structure of societies are crumbling slowly because it is beneficial for predatory capitalism that as an individual rather than collective and supportive society, if they come after the individual who was once benefiting from this indifference of other people’s plight, there will be no one to protect him. Of course the predatory capitalism has its own society that will protect eachother and a collective society but would like the poors society to crumble by any means for power and resources. So it is not accident why Ethiopia is where it is today and we will be distracted by fake development and Nile dam as usual when the core issue is “freedom from tyranny” as Abebe Gelaw put it. Beleive me also the the development that is being supported is still not for the people. So we know all this, the works of TPLF for 21 years betrayal, not being transparent, shuts the door from Ethiopian people except the few, etc.. yet we keep falling for this bs development. Give me freedom.
This is not only mass human trafficking snd modern slavery but also ethnic cleansing. These young girls should be at school and be productive citizen and have their own familiy instead of cleaning house and cooking for Arabs. They will be subjected to social, enotionl, physical and spritual abuse. This age is vulnerable and can easily brain washed. What Melese and his cadres are doing is to change the demography of the country from ethnic and religous angle. This is spritual warfare all beleivers must fast and pray to stop this henious crime. What is the difference between this action and the previous slave trade from the ocntinent of Africa to the New World? As I see it there is no difference. Are they sending girls only from the Southern region and Amhara section?
cry the beloved country! when is our misery going to end?
The only way to save this poor Ethiopian women from slavery is to get read of this WOYANNE/TPLF out of power and out of Ethiopia.
that is the only solution for Ethiopia and east Africa all together.
Let’s, organize a protest to save the innoncent women from slavery
peace replies:
June 12th, 2012 at 2:43 PM
We have been saying let us get rid of them etc. We are in fact part of it for the perpetuation of the plight of Ethiopians. So It should start from home meaning, where ever we are, how productive are we in regards to our own community outisde and unifying for the greater good? I am not saying I am perfect, I have so many flaws such as ranting but really we need to clean house from our own self and back yard. Only then we could do something. 21 years of get rid of Meles, TPLF, hasn’t done a thing. Also by shouting about this and not setting up for what the futrue will be is also being naive and dangerous. So it is high time understanding our self and one another first then we can make a differece. What can we do about the women being trafficked. There should be investigation who is really involved like ER did a while ago. Really a thorough investigation of this underground crime. Of course you will be chased and arrested like those whistleblowers who exposed Ethiopian child adoptation that is illegal. But I think because this brilliant investigating and exposing them, it might have improved yet, it is still no guarantee as TPLF is very secretive. This description if implemented shouldn’t be in public as TPLF will use it for itself as well as Arab nations.
1. So the same invistigation should occur starting from Ethiopia to Arab nation what is driving these women to go and later on to their fate of perhaps rape, death, abuse and so on. Any one can present witnesses once they escape Arab nations to tell their stories or to tell the women suffering in Arab nations or even the details what is happening in Ethiopia? This is not to defame TPLF but it should be based on real and fact finding investigation.
2. Is there anything we can do like the Phillipines and other countries who threatened the Arab nations to stop this abuse and respect the international labor law? Are there any international organization that we can appeal to stop this crime an abuse?
3. Is the diaspora able to sponsor the women to get them settled in another countries if they are able to leave the Arab nations? Is there any place even within Arab nations, Ethiopia or other nations to set up places to rehabilitate these women?
4. Is there a way to talk about this both to the so called TPLF government and Arab countries how to change their policies against the abuse, rape and salvery of our women in a diplomatic manner?
Here we go? is this the pride? guys, it is not only Meles Zenawi who is doing this business of human trafficking. None woyane are fully engaged in teenage Ethiopian girls selling business, this involves worthless Ethiopian men, arab, yemeni, and Pakistanis. The Traffickers are called Yeaaddis Ababa aradawoch. Ehtechn Meshet Aradanet tebale. You will find Somalian doing except Ethiopia. Despite Somalians are stateless, you never see them doing such dirty job. it is Ethiopian who have the scuminc generation of the century. They can sell not only girls, they can even sell you if they get chance. Did you hear an Ethiopian Lady who sold her son so that she can get to America from Mexico? you did not ? well, this is only one case, I can tell you many cases Ethiopian sold for something. The parallel I can read is from the old testament bible where Jewish were selling, eating thier own kids. Ethiopians are eating thier own kids now. Selling their children to go to America? There is nothing Ethiopian have not done. From selling thier body , thier kids, thier kidneys, … Do something about it? is not better to raise money to start one large farm that can employ and train the teenage girls than to raise money for ESAT talk about one single man, Meles Zenawi? you raise millions of dollars and pay it to rich Satellite TV service providers? why you do not invest that money in large scale commercial agriculture that employ the poor Ethiopian than wasting millions of dollar talking about who is taking land in Ethiopia? well, think about it? if you do not think solving it , no one going to do it.
Jegnaw replies:
June 11th, 2012 at 8:14 PM
@Gezaee H.
Did you sell your sister,did you sell your mother,did you sell your daughter? or are you getting billions of dollars from the sell of this innocent Ethiopian children to Arabs.
i remember during Durg TPLF was staving Tigryans in order to get money from Internationale donors. so now out write TPLF is selling our children into slavery.so today on us tomorrow will be on you.
Abera replies:
June 12th, 2012 at 9:25 AM
Gezaee Gezaee stop stop it there, it is a good idea to help our sisters but don’t bring helping ESAT is not a good idea. Don’t attack those who don’t deserve to be attacked. ESAT is doing a great job. So you wanted it closed? Like the TPLF wants it too? Is that really you want to see?
What I don’t understand about almost your articles is that you bring up something that makes sense to all of us and put another something that pisses every one. You are not consistent. Blaming Meles in this case is right too, because if he claims he is leading a government of Ethiopians for Ethiopia he is supposed to protect their rights unreservedly, but if he encourages and closes his eyes and does not his authority to stop it he is to be blamed. No question about it. Whether it is a simple regular “businessmen” or bigger ones he has to stop it. That is why he needs to be blamed.
ESAT is one of those true Ethiopian organizations that is opening our eyes. There was a time that you were accusing Elias Kifle and Ethiopian Review for various reasons, but you are still conveying your comments on this site and we are telling you are wrong, may be you learn. But you are getting worse now you are insulting all Ethiopians when ever you get a chance. Very recently you jumped up and down cheering “Meqegnet” and Ethiopians are your enemies and calling our sisters and mothers “the cheapest women on earth”. You are sick and pathetic.
If you think we will read your comment and agree or keep quiet you are at the wrong place.
peace replies:
June 12th, 2012 at 2:53 PM
Ato Gezaee,
You are really confused, one minute you criticize Meles and careful not to criticize TPLF, one minute you support Meles and demonize the rest of Ethioopians. What happened to you? You have to stand for what you believe in. Haven’t you heard of good leadership and good policy. Obviously the TPLF regime is encouraging this. Ethnic hate towards others is what leading to this also those supporting TPLF. BTW you got caught accusing Ethiopians. Most who are really in luxury today are TPLF and their supporters. Therefore since TPLF does not allow the rest of Ethiopians to take such lucrative business which Ethiopians has the moral they won’t take such business anyways, therefore it must be TPLF and their supporter who are only able to do such business that brings millions for them. So your accusing of Ethiopians is shot down right there.
Gezaee H. replies:
June 13th, 2012 at 9:18 AM
Ato Peace, you are really the very confused one. You wanted me to listen to your voice. Represent yourself, not me. I will not be you. I am Gezaee and will remain Gezaee. I do not have to tuned myself to your desire. I cannnot think they way you think, that will stupid of me. You get it or not, Gezaee is not a trailer of anyone. Gezaee is an independent thinker who doe not badge to the barrage of anyone. You have to understand I am not TPLF, G7, EPPF, EPRP, EPLF, OLF, ENLF,… that is the confusion you are having. Know Gezaee is an indepedent person who reasons and have ideologies and principles.
TPLF does not emotion, moral, dignity or respect. What TPLF knows is dollar at any cost. This is the evil policy of evil people who have no value except greed. It is this and others reason Ethiopians hate woyane. This organisation is wicked. The big problem with TPLF is civilization is money. The bible says,” a man can live by bread alone.” TPLF thinks money is everything. Imagine 13 years old working in An abusive Arab family? can she survive? Take into account the sons, the husband raping. Leave alone in Arabs, even in Ethiopia maids are raped by thier maidlords. Why ship teenage girls just for money? If I am slave what I am going to do with the money? They take thier password, they cannot even see sun light they work 24/7 with no break and even without food. They do not give them food too. I have communicated with many young girls who are there. Once they arrive there they lose all of form human value and subjected to modern slavery where they are not even allowed to see sunlight 27/7.
Why the sinister Meles Zenawi does not resign instead of exposing the entire nation to humiliation and disgrace? Shame to Meles Woyane, wicked men.
Jegnaw replies:
June 11th, 2012 at 8:29 PM
Gezaee
Are you trying to confuse us or you think you are very smart.
“a man can live by bread Alon”this is a false statement.
It gos like this.
A man can not live by bread alone but by every word of truth.
so are you living by every word of truth? or are you trying to look good by speaking foals as if it is truth.
that is the mark of hypocrisy to highest.
are we dealing with 2 monkeys heir? oh my bad i mean 2 Gezaees like Dumb and Dumber? i am just wondering
Gezaee H. replies:
June 13th, 2012 at 9:14 AM
It was mistake. The bible says, ” A man cannot leave by bread alone.”
Every good thing is in the bible but we are lead by aethists.
Anonymous replies:
June 12th, 2012 at 8:09 PM
Gezaee
you are very careful in not mentioning Woyanne/TPLF those are the people and the businessman who are trafficking this Ethiopian Women in to slavery.the TPLF and there supporters are the owners the land now.they are the one reaping the profit from selling our daughters to Arabs and our baby’s to any one willing to pay the mighty dollar.
And you said”a man can live by bread Alon” NO,NO,that is a falls statement.
the bible says”a man can not live by bread Alon but by every word of truth”
Gezaee H. replies:
June 13th, 2012 at 9:22 AM
rest assured, Meles is the head of trafficking in Ethiopia. He is the most wicked man Ethiopian ever had. He is a selfish materialist who value material than value and virtue. He is virtue is immoral, corruption, murder, sodomy, satanism. The work of girl trafficking the work of a devil in human form. Meles is a devil in human form. Meles promotes sodomy, he divided our church into two. He the source of the problem now. He brought more evilness. Sometimes it is better to be poor and die poor than to be corrupt for bloody bread. What do you expect from an aethist?
peace replies:
June 15th, 2012 at 7:54 AM
That is what I am talking about. In your other comment above, you were saying it wasn’t Meles, it was Ethiopians. Now you are accusing Meles. When are you going to admit your confusion? You are confused because you are Tigray, you want to make sure Tigrays are safe. I understand where you are coming from. You are doing this because of fear what will happen to your ethnicity. I am not sure, if you are guaranteed the safety of Tigrayans under TPLF perhaps you will be on their side no matter how much crimes they are committing. However, I understand your fears however, in your last comments I used to agree with you now, one minute you are accusing TPLF then against Ethiopians then against Meles. You need to use your Tigrayan opportunity to really identify who is against Tigrayans and Ethiopians if you are within this pool. And you are not fake and if you are sincere that is that you are in this group of pool.
I have decided to not vote for Obama this year, and I hope all Ethiopian Americans will join me
NAKFA replies:
June 11th, 2012 at 7:54 PM
SUPPORT YOU 100%.
Anonymous replies:
June 12th, 2012 at 1:47 PM
Yes, millions of Ethiopians are disappointed with President Obama’s administration when it comes to tyrant Meles, but there is no doubt that the alternative is going to be much worse than Obama; so, we just have to voter for the lesser of two evils and hope for the best.
Anonymous replies:
June 13th, 2012 at 8:58 AM
That is what the Democratic party want you to believe, the hell with them.
peace replies:
June 15th, 2012 at 7:56 AM
Romney in fact if you see his background he is a nice guy. He just became extreme Republican because the Republicans have become more conservatives.
Wow! I was fooled assuming the parasite woyanes are only merchants of terrorisms/starvations and fertile lands. Little did i know they are there at the Menelik palace selling teenage pussies as well. Poor of me!
After twenty years of pretentious struggle of weyane the Ethiopian opposition still doesn’t have strategy to protect and defend the rights of Ethiopians. Although, the source of this article is a government supporter, it needs s to be recommended for reporting this eyewitness account, however, its recommendation that the regime to regulate the entire labor migration from traffickers is a mere wish.
First of all under the TPLF system there cannot be any business transaction without any middle man handling or facilitating such transaction. Anything one wants to purchase, house, machinery etc you have to go through the middle man. that is the seller and the buyer have no way of meeting each other but through the middle man or DELALA.I do believe such arrangement is in place because the regime wants it to exist, in the first place.Beside,none but those who have connection can be middle men. This is so, under the guise of middle man ship, because these men play a double role: thy spy to the government. In the first place the motive of sending the weak and under age is not just because of remittance a foreign currency, but also to depopulate segments of Ethiopian society.
One way to do is set up female trafficking centers remove young and fertile girls from certain regions.
The problem we Ethiopians have is so huge and it becomes by the month and year more complex because there has never been any consorted effort to solve anything. The mushrooming of many political organizations speaks volume how some leaders are wrapped up about their own ego and not so much about the country. It is like the proverbial “to many chiefs and few Indians “.The very people who preside over an organization of their own will lecture you about democracy and rule of law and recounciliation, yet when it comes actually practicing they preach they are clueless. How can this be? One of the reasons many Ethiopians in Diaspora are not involved in politics is because they are fed up with the attitude of some leaders.Generally, people who reside oversees and enjoy freedom have no test with domineering and dictatorial personality. This is a turn off to many. Hence, we are in the same spot we sat five years ago. To make matter worse, supporters of these individual leaders are intolerant to any constructive criticism. They will say such comment is from government supporters who pose as opposition activists.
Unless the major problem is fixed, and willing to face the truth our aim to liberate Ethiopia gets nowhere. We know what TPLF is about; she is applying her strategy by the book. One sensible question to be asked is why is it difficult for Ethiopians to work as one people? It is not diversity that is a problem here; rather, it is individualism, self centeredness, self absorption. Indefinite Lecture about democracy produces nothing. If the leaders of these organizations mean Ethiopia instead of their ego then truly they can show us what really democracy is by rotating the chairmanship of their organizations. They can show us by diversifying leaders and membership within their rank.
Last but not least the problem of the underage Ethiopians is every Ethiopian problem. However, I think Ethiopian women all over the world need to come up with solution by establishing a task force and working with other international women and gender groups.
Gezaee H. replies:
June 13th, 2012 at 9:27 AM
WOW, wonderful. you hit my heart. I am glad I have Ethiopian like you. That gladdens my heart. This the best ever comment I read. Elias Kiflie himself will tell you that you are woyane if it does not taste his taste. That is all what I have been saying. We need brand new leaders with brand new civil movement and throw all the opposition to a dust bin of history.
I ,like many, find this news disheartening and hence my previous comment may have sounded a bluff to all leaders. I am not here suggesting all leaders are in the same category. By no means is my criticism directed at Andante (UDJ) or Medrek.After all, these are peaceful opposition leaders and many of the leaders have dearly paid with their lives. They have been imprisoned and left to destitution without respected job or means of living simply because they opposed the policy of the malignant regime.
However, I cannot say the same with those who told us they have raised arms against the regime. These groups need really to revise their strategy either to join the peaceful struggle by renouncing their means of struggle. Or else prove they are committed to liberate Ethiopians by redefining their strategy. One way to do this is to conduct a rectification movement within their rank and change the course of their struggle by relying on the support of Ethiopian people alone. Provided they heed the concern and call of the Ethiopian people the next step is to be willing to elect diversified rotating political leaders from all diverse groups. Such restructuring and inclusiveness is necessary within these organizations for the people trust and lend support to these organizations.
One thing is sure the regime will continue its mission of destruction, and when the news of such enactment make it to the head line, and they will, it will be too late for ordinary supporters of oppostion.I am not maliciously deriding these leaders but I believe there is a cause to be alarmed here. If there is such a thing as armed struggle it is a must the people anticipate there be some activity in the life of this movement. The more often stated answer “we cannot disclose our mission because of the sensitivity of the nature the case” should not be taken as sufficient answer indefinitely. At stake is the well being of the country. It is my conviction had there not been a professed armed organization by now the people could have come with another alternative. I hope instead of regarding my comment as malicious, I suggest supporters of these organizations make realistic assessment of their case.
Finally, thus far, the only positive resource we have in hand is ESAT; it becomes apparent that we support this free media so that we can educate the citizens back home, especially through the radio program, about the danger posed to Ethiopians in the Arab world.
To Gezaee H.
It doesn’t matter weather you are a political party supporter or not, let me ask you as a person, because you said you have principles: what do you mean by saying “it is not only Meles Zenawi who is doing this business?” do you think this is a good reason for selling those poor women, what is it ? A competition between who can do worse? I don’t know about the story of an Ethiopian lady who sold her son…or the traffickers, but don’t you ever say that “Ethiopians are eating their own sons or are selling for something” LISTEN SOME Ethiopians DO NOT represent ALL Ethiopians. If you are so disgusted to be an Ethiopian (you reflect only this) why don’t you just change your identity and get out of Ethiopia? (I don’t think you are an Ethiopian anyways) As an Ethiopian I am proud of ESAT.
The hell with the gorvernment that doesnt protect its citzen. Anyhow there is no government. Because any opposition and those request freedom are either killed or jailed.
My question to TPLF: is Melese or his high offcial are not ashamed when they go abroad and meet thier counterparts, while thier country girls are raped and killed by arabs? Dont Ethiopian offcials dont feel the shame.
I know many more crimes happen at home too, but nobody hear them as there is no freedom of speech in Ethiopia.
Those forgeners never knew if the girls are from Tigray or south, they wont respect Melese/his offcials at all though they think he is smart. shame on you
Thanks for raising this issue. I was at the Ethiopian airport in june and saw the exodus of many teenage girls to Saudi Arabia. They begged me to fill out their exit forms as most of them were illiterate. I talked to some of the staff at the airport and they said there are many girls leaving every day and they can’t read or write, or speak english, amharic or arabic. They get 90 day visas but most of them get extensions upon arrival. I can only imagine the conditions they face in the countries. I hope this article will help in bringing awareness and solutions to this issue.