DECEMBER 10/2006

WORLD HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS INTENSIFY IN ETHIOPIA

The violation of human rights in Ethiopia has intensified over the past year with reports of arbitrary detentions, ill treatment of political prisoners and extra judicial killings. SOCEPP has attempted to expose the details of these violations highlighting the fact that the Meles regime holds more than 35,000 political prisoners, has disappeared dozens (most executed in secret according to reports), repressed the free press, made torture systematic and imposed a reign of fear and deprivation.

 The exigencies of real politick have militated against the resolve to take decisive measures against then repressive regime that killed more than 200 people because they protested against the stealing of the people' votes in the May 2005 elections. The World Bank, the EU and Western governments have continued to help the regime alleging that it is an ally in the "war against Terrorism". Meanwhile, members of the Inquiry Commission, lawyers and judges have been forced to flee because they were hindered from exposing the truth of the relentless repression. Independent journalists are suffering in solitary confinement along with opposition leaders--all being railroaded through the controlled courts. The Meles Zenawi regime is also continuing the practice of trafficking young women and children for a profit, of swindling the money donated to combat aids and thereby depriving the people of their right to health care, of ethnic discrimination, of fomenting war and negating the right of the people to  life, etc.. 

Confronted by armed resistance, the forces of the regime have taken illegal and terrorist actions against innocent civilians in Gondar, Bale, Hararghe, Wellega, Gambella, Ogaden and other places. The cadres of the ruling party have also fomented religious strife and taken part in burning of churches, demolitions of mosques and in killing sprees as has happened in Jimma recently where churches were burnt and worshippers hacked to death. Children are in prison, old people are jailed for having children that have turned against the regime and thousands are imprisoned in labour camps all over Ethiopia for having expressed dissent. The eerie climate of anxiety and fear that is palpable in Addis Ababa and all over the country is proof of the rule by force and repression that has characterized the minority regime of Meles Zenawi. Every day the human right of the people is violated deliberately and wantonly. The Ethiopian people are crying out for justice and condemning the regime and all those who support it.

 As the world observes human rights day, SOCEPP calls on all to raise their voice in defence of the Ethiopian people and their rights.

SOCEPP