March 20, 2002

EPRDF REPRESSION KILLS DOZENS IN TEPI

Close to 100 people, including some policemen and soldiers, have been killed in and around Tepi town (Southwestern Ethiopia) during a clash between locals and EPRDF police ad soldiers. The EPRDF sent into the area police and soldiers from Mizan Teferi, Awassa and Gambella in an attempt to crush the local people's call for their right to administer themselves locally. Minorities from Shako and Mejenger are involved.

The EPRDF claims over State controlled radio that 38 people have been killed in inter ethnic clashes and more than 70 arrested along with 50 guns. Observers, however, indicate that highhanded and violent action by the EPRDF troops and police caused the deaths of close to a hundred people in the area. It is to be noted that the EPRDF's ethnic politics has favored inter-ethnic clashes and the intervention of EPRDF troops and soldiers have always led to violence and bloodshed. The local officials of Tepi area are almost all under arrest and the area is under temporary military administration.

SOCEPP vigorously condemns the repression unleashed against the Shako and Mejenger people whose demands should have been handled in a peaceful manner. The scores of people detained in the area should be released, full account on the killings made, and the perpetrators of the violence apprehended and tried before a legal court of law.

 Stop the Repression Against Civilians!

End the Ethnic Politics That Fans Bloodshed!

Stop the Violations of Rights and Release the Detained!

SOCEPP