June 27, 2001

MORE JIURNALISTS FLEE TO KENYA/ STUDENTS GO ON HUNGER STRIKE

Some more Ethiopian independent journalists have bene forced to flee to Kenya to escape the repression and threats of death directed at them by the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The journalists who have arrived in Nairobi are: * Asmare Daniel (from Kibrit Newspaper); Yidnekatchew Chane (from Ma'ibel newspaper);Zerihun Damtew (from Fetashi newspaper);Samson Seyoum (from GOH);Wendwessen Assefa (from Atkurot) and Seifu Makonen (from Kibrit). The journalists urgently need support and backing so that they can be accorded asylum and get assisted to face up to the difficulties of exile.

 In the meanwhile more students have reached Nairobi (from the AAU:Zelalem Tsegaye,Mihret Beyene,Elias Dima, Murad Kedir, Genet Alemu,Tigist Ayele,Tedros Sharew,Getu,and from Jimma University Hassan Ahmed, and Kassahun Wube from Management and Public Administration) where students who haad arrived previously have gone on a hunger strike protesting against their relocation to the arid and dangerous Dadab (Ifo) refugee camp. The students are also demanding the right of asylum in the face of an obvious UNHCR reluctance to take up their cases in earnest. In the Dadab refugee camp, some Ethiopians have been killed (Demissie Makonen for one) or severely beaten up in the past (Tewodros is case in point).

 SOCEPP calls on all peace loving people to continue to support the students on the hunger strike and to demand that the UNHCR gives them due and fitting protection.

SOCEPP