Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE) strongly condemns the repeated threats made by Mr. Mehari Tewolde, also known as Mehari Haile on social media. He is an Eritrean residing in the USA. His video statement, “I promise to the earth and sky that I will take your life,” is deeply disturbing and a direct threat to human life. The fact that he has been seen with firearms on social media further escalates the level of danger and urgency surrounding this matter.
Previously, in a recorded video message, he also threatened to kill women from his region, Akeleguzay in Eritrea, if they married men from another region, Seraye, an appalling violation of individual choice and personal rights.
Threats of violence, particularly death threats, are not protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. The U.S. legal system has clear statutes that criminalize such actions, ensuring that individuals who make credible threats of harm are held accountable.
Under 18 U.S. Code § 875(c), it is a federal crime to transmit any threat to injure or kill another person through interstate communications, including online platforms. This statute applies regardless of whether the perpetrator intends to carry out the threat, what matters is whether a reasonable person would perceive the threat as genuine.
Additionally, under 18 U.S. Code § 922(g), individuals who make violent threats and are found to pose a danger to others may be prohibited from possessing firearms. If this individual has a history of threats or violent behaviour, authorities have the power to investigate whether he is lawfully permitted to own or carry weapons.
Furthermore, many U.S. states have their own laws against criminal threats, such as California Penal Code § 422, which makes it a felony to wilfully threaten to kill or seriously injure another person if the statement is credible and causes reasonable fear.
We urge law enforcement agencies to take these threats seriously and to conduct a thorough investigation into this individual’s actions. No one should have to live in fear due to violent rhetoric and intimidation. It is crucial to ensure that those who make threats of deadly violence face legal consequences before any harm is done.
We stand firmly against all forms of intimidation and violence. Threats against human life, whether made in person or online, must never be tolerated in a just and lawful society.
Call to Action:
- We encourage affected individuals to report these threats to local and federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and their respective state authorities.
- Social media platforms should take immediate action by removing threatening content and restricting the perpetrator’s access.
- Law enforcement must assess whether this individual poses an imminent danger and take appropriate action under federal and state laws.
Violence begins with words. Let us ensure that such threats do not go unchecked. We call for justice, accountability, and the protection of all individuals from harm.
Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE)
