AUGUST 1/2006-08-02

 CALL FOR THE RELEASE OF TWO ETHIOPIANS IN MOGADISHU

The commanders of the Islamic Courts militia that is in full control of Mogadihu have stated that they are holding two Ethiopian nationals as "spies" for the Meels Zenawi regime. The captives have denied the accusation though they have benn brutally tortured for days.

 SOCEPP strongly condemns the arrest and torture of the two Ethiopian nationals who were apprehendd only because they were heard speaking in "an Ethiopian language" as they walked in one Mogadishu district. The Ethiopians are claiming they are refugees. It is to be noted that there is, at present, in Mogadishu a strong anti-Ethiopian feeling following the alleged incursion of EPRDF troops into Baidoa and other places.The islmic Court officils have rallied people for a jihad against Ethiopia and it is obvious that Ethiopian reugees in Mogadishu and other places may very well be the victims of the anti Ethiopian fervor.

 SOCEPP calls on the leaders of the Islamic Courts to release the two and all detained Ethiopian refugees and to respect their asylum rights no matter their nationality or religion.

 SOCEPP calls on Ethiopians in the Diaspora to write letters to the Somali Islamic Courts calling for the rlease of the two Ethiopians who are obviously not spies.

 INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS INJUSTICE EVERYWHERE

SOCEPP