December 23/2008

THE PLIGHT OF ATANAW WASSIE,ABERA YEMANEAB AND OTHERS

The EPRDF regime in Ethiopia has made a lot of noise about the release on parole of former Prime Minister Tamrat Layne, jailed for political reasons for 12 years. The news came at a time when popular singer Tedros Kassahun (aka Teddy Afro) was framed and sentenced to six years imprisonment.

 Worse still is the plight of prisoners like elderly Ato Atanaw Wassie, deported from the Sudan and handed over to the regime with 14 others. Latest reports indicate that Ato Atanaw Wassie is in bad health condition and not even getting proper medical care though it is confirmed is in detention in Addis Ababa. Abera Yemane Ab, a peace delegate who was jailed when he arrived in Addis Ababa in 1993, passed 12 years in prison without even being convicted and then was released (the court finally convicted him to ten years imprisonment),rearrested and sentenced to 25 years. He is still in Kaliti prison, no parole, no end to his suffering. There are too many cases like these all over Ethiopia, with thousands denied justice suffering in prison camps like Zwai, Shoa Robit, Bir Sheleko and Dedebit.

 SOCEPP calls for the immediate release of Atanaw Wasie and the 14 other deported victims, for the release of Abera Yemaneab,Tedro Kassahun and all other political prisoners.

SOCEPP