July 4, 2001

 CAMPAIGN TO SUPPORT JOURNALISTS IN DANGER

 SOCEPP appeals to all Ethiopians abroad and to international charitable bodies to support its campaign to collect funds for Ethiopian independent journalists who are in grave danger both inside the country and abroad in exile.

The government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has stepped up its repressive campaign against independent journalists, arresting some, threatening and harassing others, setting high bail payments to keep them in jail in case of others. For example, Tamrat Zuma, the editor in chief of the ATKUROT newspaper, is in jail because he is unable to pay the 11,000 Birr bail money (1 US$ is around 8 Birr). At the same time the following journalists have been forcedto flee to Nairobi,Kenya and to seek asylum there.

1. Wondwossen Teklu of GOH/ magazine/newspaper;

2. Samson Seyoum -GOH;Ethio-Times

3. Yidnekatchew Cahne-Ma'ibel

4. Abebe Bazezew-- KIBRIT;

5. Abraham Belay-Kibrit

 6. Abera Wegi -- Ma'ibel

7. Azemeray Daniel-Kibret;

8. Tedela W.Sellasie-Ethio- Times;

9. Zerihun Damtew-Fetash'

10. Kedriya Hussein-Fiameta.

They all face great hardships in their exile where they have yet to receive full asylum rights.

 SOCEPP hereby launches a collection of fund "JOURNALISTS SUPPORT FUND" to be able to post bail money to those in need (it can be done via the Ethiopian Free Journalists' Association) and to the journalists in exile who have to face up to the hard and harsh life in exile.

SOCEPP