June 30, 2001

 INTENSIFIED REPRESSION IN THE SOUTH

 The government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has continued with its brutal repression against Ethiopians living in the South, specially in Hadiya,Wolaita, Aleba and Tembaro. A regular army force of some 10,000 soldiers has been stationed in the area (13 zones and 7 special woredas/districts/) and let loose on the people. People who voted for the Opposition in the last election are being rounded up, beaten and thrown into dungeons. Elders who are held responsible for the behaviour and attitudes (and election choices) of the people have also been picked up, beaten and deliberately subjected to humiliation. It is a systematic and extensive campaign of repression that has been unleashed on the people of the area and is wreaking havoc on their lives.

 --Two elected deputies,Woldemikael Manebo and Woldemikael Abebe, are in jail for the last four months without any trial or court order;

--Ato Bezabih Beyene, the deputy head of the Southern Ethiopian People's Democratic Coalition (SPEDC-legal opposition) for the Yeki district has been detained and "disappeared" as has the SEPDC executive committee member for Sheka zone Ato Abdu Abaroro.

--In the sme Shaka zone, a force of 500 soldiers assisted by local government cadres has been breaking into people's houses, beating up alleged SEPDC supporters and jailing many more. Of the imprisoned SEDPC members we can cite Muhe Mohamed, Meles Weyesa, Degiso Tobia, Tamru Tadesse, Gezahegn Gebr, teacher (Ms)Abezash Makonen.

 --In the Derashe special district, Gamo Gofa, no less than 200 peasants are imprisoned following brutal interventions by the soldiers. --In many districts, and specially in Hadiya, people are being forced to come out in "protest demonstrations" denouncing the SEPDC leader Dr. Beyene Petros. The government has resorted to subterfuge and outright forgery to gather signatures to have Dr. Beyene recalled from parliament. In this connection, people are made to come to meeting to discuss on "wereda/district/ status" for their area and then cadres made to join the meeting with banners denouncing the SEPDC leader and this is all filmed as a "popular protest against the SEPDC leader". People are also given food and made to sign a paper above which is written " we want Dr. Beyene recalled/removed from parliament". As has happened in the past, the government also edits TV footage (sometimes of mass gatherings called by the SEPDC itself during the May 2000 elections) and makes it appear falsely that big protest demonstrations have been staged against Dr, Beyene.

 --For the record, it should be noted that of the people shot dead by the government soldiers we can cite Atos Demeke Hamebo,Zeleke Erigecho,Gechecho Artibo,student Erjabo Wanore,Mme Barditu Shifa,MmeMakidiya Shokurela,Atos Tadesse Kawiso,,Asfaw Tadesse.Wondimu Baynakomo,La'lago Agore,Zeleke Beyene,Abraham Funga,Daniel Beyene,Deneke Desalegne,Demako Bobote,Dana Malore,Makonen Maskele,Ermias Abiyu,Almeu Buntiso,Amacho Hambebo,Demissie Beltibo,Abraham Kebede,Mme Jano Doda and Mme Adanetch Amora. Ato Mishamo Kabiso and Mme Almaz Ansabo were killed by a grenade while Ato Angaso Aleto was beaten to death and Ato Dano Tkamo speared fatally.

 With hundreds of peasants and SEPDC supporters jailed in almost all the zones and districts, what we witness is a brutal spree of violence on the part of the government which is trying not only to take revenge on the people who dared to vote for the opposition but to forcefully impress upon the people that the power holders are the ones who can and will decide on their fates. It is a campaign of intimidation and terror that highlights the fact that government has been defeated in the field of peaceful struggle and competition despite the fact it had leveled the field only for itself. The ongoing campaign of violence against the people (the area is under military occupation by Tigrean commanded soldiers given full right to take all actions against the people) and the ongoing farce of a "popular call for the removal of Dr. Beyene from the parliament" (the planned local elections have now been postponed for some months more) indicate the government's determination to continue with the repression and falsification to strike at the SEPDC and its leaders.

SOCEPP once again condemns the government's brutal action and violence in the South and joins the popular demand for

(1) the immediate withdrawal of the occupying army

 (2) the trial of those responsible for the murders of dozens of people, and (3) the release of all political prisoners in all the zones and districts.

SOCEPP