JUNE 13/2007

WORLD REFUGEE DAY

THE PLIGHT OF ETHIOPIAN REFUGEES WORSENS

As the world observes Refugee Day and the number of refugees in the world rises up to 10 million, it is necessary to highlight that the plight of Ethiopian refugees has worsened over the past year. Dozens have died in the Libyan Desert, hundreds drowned in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, many subjected to inhuman treatment in various so called host countries near and far.

 The repressive situation in Ethiopia has forced thousands to flee and seek refuge abroad. The neighbouring countries, in varying degrees, have turned hostile to these refugees. Many are jailed, quite a few deported back, many more subjected to ill treatment and denied asylum rights. Ethiopian refugees in European countries have also been denied asylum rights and not only threatened by deportation but have actually been deported as has happened to some refugees in England. The decision by some countries to consider Ethiopia as a "safe country" and to justify the denial of asylum rights to Ethiopians is an injustice. The reality in Ethiopia shows that with every passing year the regime in Ethiopia has turned more repressive and the number of extrajudicial killings have increased especially in the rural towns and areas. There is no due process or rule of law, dissent is repressed brutally and those who fear for their lives are forced to flee often risking death as has happened off the Yemeni coast, in the Mediterranean near the Italian shores.

 Refugees need protection. The UNHCR has not, as concerns Ethiopian refugees, proved effective in giving protection. Ethiopia Refugees have been practically left to fend for themselves. This situation must end. More importantly, the repression in Ethiopia must be made to stop so that the situation does not produce even more refugees.

SOCEPP