PRESS RELEASE: Authorities Warned to Stop Politically Motivated Eritrean 4G Festival that Undermines Australian Democratic Values and Community Security
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – 2 JANUARY 2025 –The Eritrean pro-democracy movement, Blue Revolution, urgently call upon the Australian Government and relevant authorities to address the rising prevalence of politically motivated events masquerading as community celebrations. These events, often driven by concealed agendas, exploit public trust, manipulate vulnerable communities, and disrupt societal harmony.
The Eritrean regime sponsored non-inclusive and hateful Melbourne Festival that devolved into violent clashes and resulted in over ten individuals being hospitalized in January 2024 is again to be held at Happy Receptions, 199 Sunshine Rd, Tottenham VIC 3012 between 10 – 12 January 2025. This politically influenced event exploits the democratic system of Australia and erodes Australia’s foundational principles of democracy, human rights, and free speech by suppressing dissent, intimidating critics, and promoting exclusionary ideologies. This event frequently perpetuates selective narratives, being ground for youth radicalisation, portraying certain groups as perpetual victims while silencing dissenting voices.
In Eritrea, systemic abuse and torture have been extensively documented by the UN. Eritrea’s regime operates what it refers to as its ‘fourth front’ or 4G in democratic nations like Australia, leveraging front groups coordinated by Eritrean consulate to propagate regime propaganda against western democracy, intimidate dissenters, manipulate community gatherings disguised as “cultural events” and use such activities to raise funds. Further entrenching the regime’s influence abroad. Such tactics mirror those associated with extremist and terror-linked organisations, underscoring a concerning trend where indicate as freedom itself.
The Eritrean Consulate publicly awarded the instigators of the violence in the January 2024 festival that broadcasted on Eritrean state media (EriTV). Despite clear evidence and public outcry, no legal action was taken against the responsible parties in Australia. This glaring inconsistency highlights how innocent people forcefully becoming refugees, are again exposed to a troubling double standard by allowing their exploitation and forced radicalization of their youth through politically motivated violence.
Eritrea is in the horn of Africa and for the last 33 years it has been ruled by the Eritrean dictator Isaias Afewerki without constitution, free and fair election, and any form of rule of law.
About Eritrean blue revolution movement (BNH – Australia)
Eritrean Blue Revolution also known as BNH, is a youth movement dedicated to resisting foreign interference that hinders our community integration and security, while promoting democracy, justice, rule of law and freedom of speech in Eritrea.
