»Die eritreische Flüchtlingsgemeinde ist erschüttert«

Dear Mr Maas,

Re: The brutal Killing of Khaled Idris Bahray,a 20-year-old refugee from Eritrea

We are writing to express our shock at the brutal killing of Khaled Idris Bahray, a 20-year-old refugee from Eritrea who was found dead on Tuesday 13th January 2015, in the yard of a housing estate where he had accommodation with seven other refugees in Dresden.

Human Rights Concern-Eritrea (HRCE) condemns the unprovoked cruel killing, and we believe that this is a heinous crime committed against an innocent young man who sought refuge in Germany. He had gone out shopping when he was killed. It seems extraordinary that, according to news reports, the German police initially claimed they did not suspect foul play even though the body was covered in blood and wounds and this happened in the wake of the anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim demonstrations in Dresden, and given the persistent threats refugees in the area have been experiencing, there seems to be little doubt that Mr. Bahray is a victim of these extremists.

His friends, and the Eritrean refugee community in the area are reeling from this traumatic experience and the continuous threats they face from extremist and racist groups.

We respectfully call on your government to:

• Conduct an autopsy examination in a transparent manner;

• Bring the perpetrators of the abominable killing of a vulnerable refugee to justice;

• Arrange an appropriate burial of Mr. Bahray in the presence of his family and his friends;

• Provide counselling to the friends with whom he lived;

• Provide the Eritrean refugee community in the area with adequate protection measures.

Yours sincerely

Elizabeth Chyrum

Director
Human Rights Concern – Eritrea