DECEMBER 10/2003

As the world observes Human Rights Day on December 10,SOCEPP is obliged to draw attention to the worsening human rights condition in Ethiopia. 15,000 political prisoners without due process, dozens of these "disappeared", inhumane conditions in official and secret prisons, summary killings by security forces and murder squads, routine violation of the rule of law and human rights.

Rhetoric aside, the human rights situation in Ethiopia has reached deplorable levels. Just in this month, the ruling front banned the Ethiopian Free Journalists Association (EFJA) and pushed ahead with tis plan to put into effect a draconian press law and a dubious law on nationality and citizenship. In many areas of the country, especially from regions affected by armed conflicts, there are continuous reports of atrocities by the government troops. Ethnic discrimination continues to be government policy and the sale of children using different covers (adoption, domestic work, etc) is rife. High officials have been netted by rare police raids while patronizing brothels in which underage girls serve customers in the nude without any legal action taken against them. Government officials are also behind the sale of young girls into modern slavery to the Middle Eastern countries. The prevailing grave economic difficulties and inequities, unemployment, poverty and encouraged child prostitution have also militated for the spread of AIDS, an epidemic that is not being properly combated by the government.

The ruling EPRDF maintains many secret (or ghost) prisons, especially in Tigrai region. It has refused to reveal how many political prisoners it is holding in such places, refused to account for the "disappeared". Due process and the rule of law are ignored; torture is widespread, arbitrary action by the federal police routine. Furthermore, civic organizations are harassed, curtailed or banned outright as the ruling front strives to control all. Private enterprises have also been subjected to arbitrary police and judicial measures to protect the economic interest oft hose holding state power. The attitude to freedom of he press is best gauged by the EPRDF' relentless repression of the free press and its banning of the EFJA under one pretext or another. Dissent is repressed and many opposition organizations are outlawed. Political prisoners languish in prisons and labor camps without being brought before a court of law. Women and children are denied proper protection of the law.

The EPRDF in power is a gross violator of the political, economic, civic and human rights of the Ethiopian people. It has trampled upon its own laws and Constitution and, notwithstanding the lip service given to democratic governance, proved during the last 12 years of its role that it is the main and major obstacle to the respect of the human rights of the Ethiopian people.

Call for the respect of human rights in Ethiopia!!

Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere!!

Support SOCEPP' struggle for the respect of human rights in Ethiopia!!