Human Rights Concern–Eritrea (HRCE) is deeply concerned by a TikTok recording attributed to Ms Mehrawit Mebrahtu Aibu, also known as Monica Mebrahtu and Monicawit Hegdefawit.
In the recording, Ms. Mebrahtu reportedly names Eritrean businesspeople and other financially successful Eritreans based in Africa and tells them that financially supporting the Eritrean contestant Ms. Snit Habteab participating in the Miss World 2026, competition is their “duty and obligation.”
Most seriously, she reportedly warns that, if they do not contribute, their businesses “could be in danger.” She also threatens to campaign on TikTok for their downfall, describes herself as “General TikTok Monicawit Harekawit,” and states that the matter concerns Eritrea and is “not a joke.”
Taken together, publicly naming particular individuals, demanding financial contributions, warning that their businesses could be in danger and threatening campaigns against them, these statements may reasonably be perceived as threatening and coercive.
HRCE strongly condemns any attempt to obtain money through threats, intimidation, public shaming or coercion.
Every individual, business and organisation has the right to decide freely whether to support a contestant, campaign or cause. Financial contributions must be entirely voluntary. No person has the right to compel payment by threatening danger to someone’s business, reputational damage, hostile online campaigns or other adverse consequences.
We urge Ms. Mebrahtu to withdraw these statements publicly and refrain from naming, threatening or pressuring individuals or Eritrean business owners based in Africa. We also urge everyone involved to ensure that no person or business faces harassment, retaliation or reputational attacks for exercising the right to decide how their money is used.
The complete recording should be preserved and referred to the appropriate Norwegian authorities for an independent assessment. HRCE does not prejudge whether a criminal offence has been committed; that is a matter for the police and courts to determine.
Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE)
