#SomeoneTellSaudiArabia: The conflict both online and offline between Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia this week
We follow the latest updates on the uproar over migrant workers, particularly Ethiopians in Saudi Arabia. Scroll down for the latest developments. Clashes broke out in Saudi Arabia over the weekend between Ethiopian migrant workers and Saudi police and violence has been flaring up through the course of the week. Last April, Saudi officials issued an amnesty period of 7 months to illegal immigrants to obtain legal status or leave the country. The police began the crackdown on Saturday. The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry & the Foreign Minister condemned the violence against its citizens
#Ministry “utterly condemns” the killing & inhuman treatment of its citizens & demanded urgent explanation from #SaudiArabia. @DrTedros
— Ethiopian Diplomacy (@mfaethiopia) November 11, 2013
Ethiopia condemns Saudi crackdown https://t.co/6bxJwcZeT8 via @sharethis
— Tedros Adhanom (@DrTedros) November 11, 2013
The Ethiopian government began repatriating its workers from Saudi.
#Ministry will dispatch soon highlevel delegation to #Saudi to discuss orderly repatriation & demand respect for #Ethiopians. @DrTedros
— Ethiopian Diplomacy (@mfaethiopia) November 11, 2013
#Ministry has already started efforts to rescue citizens in #SaudiArabia through its missions in #Riyadh, #Jeddha. @DrTedros.
— Ethiopian Diplomacy (@mfaethiopia) November 11, 2013
The uproar on twitter was evident when the hash tag #SomeoneTellSaudiArabia was created
#SomeOneTellSaudiArabia Stop killing our brothers & sisters #Ethiopia
— Abdi Lemessa (@Ab_Oli) November 10, 2013
The trend caught on and Ethiopians were using it to voice their anger at the treatment of their people in the Kingdom.
Stop violence against Ethiopians in Saudi Arabia! #SomeoneTellSaudiArabia #Ethiopia pic.twitter.com/gbSy7aoiGF
— Adil ፤ ዓደል (@AdilG) November 10, 2013
#SomeoneTellSaudiArabia to stop killing and abusing Ethiopians.
— Hallelujah Lulie (@halelule) November 10, 2013
Photos & videos also emerged
#SomeOneTellSaudiArabia You threaten Humanity this much. why? Can Poverty justify it? Shame. pic.twitter.com/YYOyy86rdG
— Abdi Lemessa (@Ab_Oli) November 10, 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdeUWdsVKKo
https://www.facebook.com/Hamoudu/posts/613189802070502
https://www.facebook.com/Hamoudu/posts/613189802070502
https://www.facebook.com/Hamoudu/posts/613189802070502
The Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Ministry provided its citizens in Saudi with key information concerning the repatriation process
Ethiopians in #SaudiArabia contact command post :+251115525472 +251115523810 +251115524265 (Off.No).+251911230145 @DrTedros
— The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of #Ethiopia 🇪🇹 (@mfaethiopia) November 12, 2013
And the updates from the ministry continued pouring in once the delegation arrived in Riyadh
Picture: @AmbMehamedHassen visits citizens and discussed with #Saudi officials. @DrTedros pic.twitter.com/jKNZDfYf71
— The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of #Ethiopia 🇪🇹 (@mfaethiopia) November 13, 2013
Saudis joined the conversation
Ethiopians have killed and raped many Saudi women and children. We don't cry about it all over twitter. #SomeoneTellSaudiArabia
— anoof (@anoofesh) November 13, 2013
It seems that you can’t tolerate our rules so please terminate all relationship with us. We will be happy too:) #SomeoneTellSaudiArabia
— يزيد بن معاوية (@abufaisal20020) November 13, 2013
On Tuesday 12th Saudi Arabia won a seat on the UN Human Rights Council. Ethiopians once more expressed their grievances on Social Media
https://twitter.com/meetabel/status/400315465357991936
Saudis started reporting of retaliatory attacks by Ethiopians
https://twitter.com/abufaisal20020/status/400643974785822721
Mohammed an Ethiopian man working in Saudi skyped with CCTV Africa and had this to say:
What I want to tell you is that I want to participate in the campaign to expose Saudi Arabia for its crimes against humanity nowadays….they will never be a defender of global rights at a local and global level. What makes me surprised is that I heardt, this country has got a seat on the International Human Rights Council. So a country that is raping, killing and beating innocent people, like what is happening to Ethiopians now. How can it get this at the international level? To bring the peace and security and life of humanity over the world. How can it? It is shame, if they bring back their minds they would have many things that would make them ashamed. So it should be taken to the International Criminals Court rather than getting a seat at this
Nouf from Riyadh emailed CCTV Africa on the 14th with links to videos and images. She wrote:
“Hello, My Name is Nouf and I’m from Saudi Arabia and I want to show you the facts in photos and videos to make sure you get the right idea about this problem because people on twitter always try to give Saudis bad reputation but that’s not true. The Ethiopians start to attack Saudi women, children and even government I just want you to put yourself in our shoes, would you sit back and wait for them to come and kill you or you’re going to stop them! So we had to be violent with them because they started it first and in their case we warned and told them to stop but they refused so we had to stop them with violence.”
Worldwide demos have been planned by Ethiopians via social media
#SomeoneTellSaudiArabia Ethiopians in Sweden in front of #SaudiArabia embassy. pic.twitter.com/HrkUEU4iJi
— Michael Degife ሚኲ (@asfaw_michael) November 14, 2013
and Arab News.Com declared yesterday “Recent clashes make Saudis wary of Ethiopian maids”
The unrest continues on the 14th
Mamama Nunu wrote to CCTV Africa on our G+ page
#SomeoneTellSaudiArabia :“KING ABDULLHA :STOP THE KILLING,RAPING AND,TORTURING OF ETHIOPIANS” – PUBLIC PROTEST IN DC pic.twitter.com/wanVp3tUpB
— ISHO BIRHAN (@Isho_Birhan) November 14, 2013
On the 15th, the Ethiopian FM announced of a budget set aside to settle the returnees
Our government allocated 50mln Birr startup budget 4 returnees evacuation & rehabilitation from Saudi.More funds will be allocated as needed
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) November 15, 2013
Ethiopian airlines is looped in to the repatriation process
We r trying our best 2 give repatriation priority 2 women & children from Saudi Arabia. Ethiopian Airlines is on standby for z same
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) November 15, 2013
Retaliatory attacks were reported against Saudis
illegal ethiopians in KSA attacked a little girl and her family this week in Saudi Arabia#SomeoneTellSaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/Ji88uUeGSQ
— Rami Alghamdi (@RamiMghamdi) November 15, 2013