JANUARY 12/2006

GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BY EPRDF IN SOMALIA

The illegal invasion of Somalia by the troops of the EPRDF in Ethiopia has led to gross human rights violations that victimize the people of Somalia. From Baidoa to Ras Kamboni the troops of the Meles Zenawi regime have killed and wounded thousands with tanks, heavy artillery and helicoper-fighter jet bombardments adding to the number of casualties. The USA has also moved in against the Somali people killing innocent nomads and villagers in Southern Somalia.

 SOCEPP unconditionally condemns the regime of Meles Zenawi for the invasion and the consequent gross human right violations that have wrecked and are still taking place in Somalia. This military adventure ordered by a bigger power has from the outset proved itself an overkill, illegal and against all human rights conventions and rules. The alleged presence of terrorists in Somalia not only fails to justify the invasion but has proved up to now to be unsubstantiated. The Meles regime has turned Ethiopia itself into one human rights hell hole and cannot be expected to bring justice and peace to the Somalis. True to its "nature", the EPRDF has opened fire against protesters in Mogadishu wounding and killing innocent Somalis. As an occupation force sub contracted by a big power it is routinely violating the human rights of the Somali people and has alreday caused the loss of life of hundreds of Ethiopian soldiers. SOCEPP affirms that the people of Somlia and Ethioppia re brothers and sisters and that this war sabotages their future peaceful relations.

 SOCEPP calls for the immediate withdrawal of the EPRDF troops from Somalia and for the cessation of the interference in the internal affairs of the Somali people. The human rights of the people of Somalia must be respected. Actually,the repressive regime of Meles Zenawi has to respect the human rights of the Ethiopian people in the first place, has to release all the political prisoners, rspect the rule of law,etc...The violent actions of the USA  against the Somali people must also stop immediately.

SOCEPP