January 17/2003

 OPEN LETTER TO THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT 

SOCEPP joins the Ethiopian Free Journalists' Association inexpressing its strong objection to the practical backing being given by the British embassy in Addis Abeba to the EPRDF Ministry of Information and its attempt to pass a new repress Press Law. It is not long ago that the British government was in the forefront of those who condemned the Press Law in Zimbabwe while it is now colliding with a regime that is trying to pass a Press Law much more repressive than the Zimbabwean one.

 SOCEPP is also saddened by the decision of the British government to supply military equipment to the EPRDF while the world has condemned the Meles Zenawi regime as repressive and war mongering. A few years back, Land Rovers donated by the British government to the EPRDF were used by security men in the brutal ambush and murder of human rights activist Assefa Maru. A senseless war in which the EPRDF pitted the people cost the lives of more than a hundred thousand people and we note now that more than 15 million Ethiopians are facing death through starvation while the EPRDF continues to spend millions on military equipment. What is required of foreign governments is not arming the EPRDF but condemning it for its violation of rights and irresponsible politics. 

SOCEPP once again calls on the British government to end its double standards and mistaken politics vis a vis Ethiopia. It must end the military and police accords with the repressive regime and boldly denounce the new repressive Press Law draft. It is the decent position to take in support of the Ethiopian people who have been denied their basic human rights.

SOCEPP