JUNE 25/2004

As the world observes the day of refugees it is inevitable to observe that the plight of Ethiopian refugees has worsened. Djibouti is deporting 3000 Ethiopian refugees, Kenya and Sudan have continued with their harassment of defenseless refugees, Europe has denied asylum to Ethiopian asylum seekers, etc. All over the world, Ethiopian refugees are subjected to mistreatment and denied their legitimate asylum rights. And sadly enough the UNHCR is not defending them as it should specially in the neighboring countries where regimes having close links with those in power in Addis Abeba routinely violate the rights of the asylum seekers.

The plight of Ethiopian refugees has worsened because the political priorities given by the host countries continue to militate against accepting them. The regime in Ethiopia is one of the worst violators of human rights but there are western governments still boldly claiming that it is 'democratic", that Ethiopia is a 'safe country". This assertion is based on real politik, to placate a repressive regime that is otherwise politically subservient and has little to do with its dismal human rights record. Much as the regime led by Meles Zenawi may claim to be "anti-terrorist", it is in the eyes of the Ethiopian people a regime that rules through the use of force and violence. Ethiopians flee because they are forced to protect their lives, to have rights. They are objective and real political refugees as a result of the prevailing political repression all over the country.

The world refugee day behooves on us to consider the plight of Ethiopian refugees all over the world, to denounce the mistreatment they have been subjected to and to c all for the respect of their rights as asylum seekers or refugees.

SOCEPP