JUNE 9/2003

TO: H.E. Mr Thao. M. Mbeki

President of South Africa

Private Bag X1000,

Capetown 8000

fax (012) 323 8246

e mail: bheki@p.gov.za

Mr. President,

The Solidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners (SOCEPP), established in 1995 and struggling for the respect of human rights in Ethiopia, would like to bring to your attention the plight of Ethiopian refugees in South Africa. Two weeks ago yet another Ethiopian refugee committed suicide to escape the deportation decision the South African authorities passed against him.

As Your Excellency knows the human rights situation in Ethiopia is appalling and people continue to flee abroad to seek asylum. The situation in the neighboring countries is not also favorable to the Ethiopian refugees who have yet to get adequate protection from the UNHCR. This being the case, a number of Ethiopian refugees have been forced to seek asylum in South Africa much as in the past hundreds of South Africans had sought asylum in Ethiopia. We cannot forget the fact that Ethiopia as country and its people stood shoulder to shoulder with the struggle of South Africans against the evil system of Apartheid. It is thus only to be expected if Ethiopians, in their hour of need, look towards South Africa to get safe haven.

SOCEPP calls on Your Excellency to order a halt to the mistreatment and deportation of Ethiopian refugees. Deportation means torture and even death as has been proved when refugees were deported back from the Sudan and Djibouti for example.

respectfully,

E.Nathaniel

for SOCEPP

copy to: President Nelson Mandela

nmandela@anc.org.za

fax 27(0) 11 728 1111

Private bag X70 000, Houghton, Johannesburg 2041

SOCEPP