April 4/2001

 DISAPPEARANCE

Ato WONDYIFRAW AREFA, arrested by the police in late February 2000 (Yekatit 19/1993 Eth.calendar) from his workplace in Addis Abeba (State administration,Works and City Development Brueau) and taken to the South has disappeared in custody.

 Ato Wondiyfraw was arrested by five policemen sent by the Southern regional administration. He had earlier taken part as a contestant in the regional election and was a candidate in the Derashe special district. His arrest is linked to his running as a candidate. Police in Derashe and other places are reportedly acting with total disdain for the law in conjunction with the high and regional court judges who are almost all cadres of the ruling front (EPRDF). In Derashe's police jail, there are prisoners who have purged close to six years without ever being brought before a court of law to be charged.

The government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has up to now refused to account on the fate of scores of disappeared.

SOCEPP