March 28, 2001

 DEMOCRACY AND REPRESSION OF DISSENT ARE INCOMPATIBLE RELEASE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS NOW

As the ruling Tigrean People's Liberation Front (TPLF) reels from factional division and both sides claim to stand for democracy, we find ourselves inclined to remind those in power that democracy and the repression of dissent are totally incompatible and those in power should release all political prisoners without any delay. The prisons are full, the dungeons are many, the ghost prisons far too many to count and the violations of rights too routine and very much extensive. All this has to change.

 Release all political prisoners and come to terms with the people is what SOCEPP would like to say to the rulers in the Palace of Addis Abeba. Dr. Taye Wolde Semayat, Abera Yemaneab, Fitawrari Makonen Dori, Aberash Berta, journalists like Berhanu Ijigu, opposition leaders like Tsegaye Gebre Medhin, trade unionists like Abebe Ainekulu, monks like Aba Amhayesus, and thousands of others should be immediately released. Almost all political prisoners had been railroaded and dumped into the terrible dungeons. Thousands suffer in Kerchiele and Kaliti, to mention but two hell- holes, without ever being brought before a proper court of law. The government \runs too many secret prisons and underground holes and concentration camps. These have to be emptied, destroyed.

SOCEPP has in the last six years called on the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to respect the rule of law, due process and the right of the people. Unfortunately, the government had opted to sin on the side of violation and crimes and has been condemned locally and internationally as a human rights violator. Worse still, the government had opted to go against the truth and to boldly, and falsely claim, that there are no political prisoners in Ethiopia. Without going into the political details of the ongoing crisis, it is evident that the grave problems shaking the ruling group have also much to do with its lack of democratic culture and practice. Since both sides fighting to come on top are claiming to be democratic, SOCEPP feels obliged to remind them all that democracy is no empty word and that the first condition is the end of repression and trampling on the rule of law. The ones in power should release ALL political prisoners without conditions and take concrete measures to end all unlawful practices that go against the human rights of the people.

 Release all political prisoners. End the repression of dissent. End the repression against independent journalists. End the ethnic discrimination and repression. Respect the rule of law. All these are the demands of the people and they are compatible with democracy. SOCEPP calls, nay demands, that the ones in power learn to heed and respect the call of the people. Release all political prisoners now!!

SOCEPP