NOVEMBER 24/1999
REPRESSION INTENSIFIED IN GAMBELLA
Reports reaching SOCEPP reveal that the government repression in GAMBELLA has been intensified. The main victims of the repression are the alleged or actual supporters of the Gambella People's Democratic Congress, an organization that opposes the Gambella People's Democratic Front (GPDF), which is backed by the government and is "administering" the region. More than 26 members of the GPDC were for long in the Gambella prison. They are now joined by ten others and scores of Nuer students detained during the November 10 demonstration by students demanding the use of their own (Nuer ) language in their schools.
GPDC candidates for the coming election, namely MAK SHOL and PUT SHOL have also been thrown into Gambella prison along with several students. The government has tried to link the students' rightful demand with subversion and manipulation by "enemy" forces. It is to be noted that many people in this area are also being detained on the grounds that they "support the Oromo Liberation Front". In this respect, known hotelier Kebede Gonche, who happens to be the treasurer of the Oromia Development Association, has been imprisoned along with a female hotel worker called Abebetch Lolola. Another woman, Mulu, has reportedly died in the Gambella prison for lack of medical treatment.
The recent wave of arrest against the members of the GPDC took place in Dima district (where ALEL KUWOT, DIDUM UMED and UJULA DOGEN got imprisoned and decision has already been taken to throw them out of their jobs) and in Itang (where Niybelo Niykew, Itieb Abela,Ukuom Chuur Mita,Peter Utiti and Berhanu Kuwot have been detained). All have been denied their legal right to be free on bail or to consult a lawyer. The denial of due process is routine, and several prisoners released by the High Court are still in prison. One judge who ordered the release of prisoners on bail has found himself behind bars and the court closed, the reports indicate.
A government soldier called Habtom who shot an innocent civilian called Firew in a bar has been cleared of any wrongdoing, the same sources state, adding that government cadres under the leadership of one Yohannes act above and against the law to suppress the people. It is to be noted that the government is being accused of very many serious rights violations in connection with the coming election (May 2000) and its alleged attempt to muzzle its rivals within the country. SOCEPP reiterates its call for an end to the repression in Gambella and other areas inhabited by minority peoples.
