Violence broke out at an Eritrean event in the Netherlands. Among other things, fireworks and stones were thrown at the police and fire brigade. The background is differences with the dictatorship in Eritrea.
Serious riots broke out at a meeting of Eritreans in The Hague, Netherlands, on Saturday evening. There were violent clashes between two groups of Eritreans during which stones, fireworks and other objects were thrown at officials and the fire brigade, police said that night.
“It is very likely that there was a confrontation between pro-government and anti-government Eritreans,” police wrote in a statement. One of the parties had planned a meeting in an event building, which opponents also came to.
Firefighters extinguish a burning bus in The Hague.
Injured officers and several arrests
Police cars, a bus and other cars were set on fire by the rioters and the event building was badly damaged, as shown on television images. The riot police used tear gas against the violent perpetrators.
The mayor declared a state of emergency at the scene of the riots, which gives the police greater powers. Several people were arrested and the investigation was ongoing, the police said.
According to police, four officers were injured during the night. “Out of nowhere, our colleagues were confronted with very violent and serious violence,” said Mariëlle van Vulpen from the Hague police, according to the statement. “It is very unfortunate that colleagues were injured and other helpers were seriously threatened. This is unacceptable.”
Also riots in other countries
Recently there has been repeated serious violence at meetings between Eritreans in Germany and other countries. Supporters and opponents of the dictatorial government in the country on the Horn of Africa met.
Last summer, 26 police officers were injured in riots at an Eritrean festival in Gießen, Hesse. There were also riots in Stockholm, Sweden, and Tel Aviv in Israel, with dozens injured.
Eritrea, with around three million inhabitants, is located in northeast Africa on the Red Sea and is largely isolated internationally. Since independence from Ethiopia was won in a decades-long war 30 years ago, President Isayas Afewerki has ruled the country in a one-party dictatorship.
Political parties are banned and freedom of expression and freedom of the press are severely restricted. There is neither a parliament nor independent courts or civil society organizations. There is also a strict military service and forced labor system, from which many people flee abroad.