(11/25/2011, Winnipeg Free Press)--They thought coming to Canada would free them from the oppressive Eritrean regime, but many new Winnipeggers are being squeezed for money by agents of the government they fled.
Daniel Awshek told the Free Press he was shocked when he first arrived and attended a community gathering -- where he was hit up for money to support the dictatorial regime in the African country.
"They asked every family to pay $500 each for the Eritrean Defence Forces to fight against Ethiopia," said Awshek, a nurse and refugee minister at the Eritrean Pentecostal Church. "That's crazy. Let's focus on child development and community development," and not support fighting, he added.
When Awshek needed a transcript of his public health degree from the University of Asmara in Eritrea's capital, he had to pay two per cent of his income and provide a copy of his income tax return. And anyone who wants a visa to visit Eritrea or an official document has to pay the annual two per cent tax. He said it's wrong to ask people to support the government that's driven them out.
Men and women are conscripted out of high school and expected to serve the military for 16 months. Many Winnipeggers say that commitment ends up being years.
One man who came to Canada in 2008 said he fled the country when he realized his 16-month mandatory military service would never end. If he stayed, he believes he'd be stuck in the military for life earning 432 nakfa a month (about C$10 a month), he said.
He doesn't want to be identified because he fears it will put his family in Eritrea at risk. His father was fined 50,000 nakfa by the government when it found out he left, he said.
In Winnipeg, he found a full-time job and wanted to register for university classes. He refused to pay the Eritrean agent in Winnipeg the two per cent tax to get his transcript from Asmara. He's even more adamantly opposed to pro-government agents in Winnipeg handling Eritrean refugee sponsorships.
As a government-sponsored refugee, he didn't know where to go to sponsor his nephew and a friend. He applied through the Eritrean Community in Winnipeg Inc.
"Last year I got a call -- 'Can you come to the community centre? We have your sponsorship papers. There are errors. We want to correct it with you.' " He gave up a shift at work for the appointment at the centre on Hargrave Street. Read more from Winnipeg Free Press »
Daniel Awshek told the Free Press he was shocked when he first arrived and attended a community gathering -- where he was hit up for money to support the dictatorial regime in the African country.
"They asked every family to pay $500 each for the Eritrean Defence Forces to fight against Ethiopia," said Awshek, a nurse and refugee minister at the Eritrean Pentecostal Church. "That's crazy. Let's focus on child development and community development," and not support fighting, he added.
When Awshek needed a transcript of his public health degree from the University of Asmara in Eritrea's capital, he had to pay two per cent of his income and provide a copy of his income tax return. And anyone who wants a visa to visit Eritrea or an official document has to pay the annual two per cent tax. He said it's wrong to ask people to support the government that's driven them out.
Men and women are conscripted out of high school and expected to serve the military for 16 months. Many Winnipeggers say that commitment ends up being years.
One man who came to Canada in 2008 said he fled the country when he realized his 16-month mandatory military service would never end. If he stayed, he believes he'd be stuck in the military for life earning 432 nakfa a month (about C$10 a month), he said.
He doesn't want to be identified because he fears it will put his family in Eritrea at risk. His father was fined 50,000 nakfa by the government when it found out he left, he said.
In Winnipeg, he found a full-time job and wanted to register for university classes. He refused to pay the Eritrean agent in Winnipeg the two per cent tax to get his transcript from Asmara. He's even more adamantly opposed to pro-government agents in Winnipeg handling Eritrean refugee sponsorships.
As a government-sponsored refugee, he didn't know where to go to sponsor his nephew and a friend. He applied through the Eritrean Community in Winnipeg Inc.
"Last year I got a call -- 'Can you come to the community centre? We have your sponsorship papers. There are errors. We want to correct it with you.' " He gave up a shift at work for the appointment at the centre on Hargrave Street. Read more from Winnipeg Free Press »
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