NOVEMBER 14/2002

 OPEN LETTER TO THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM

SOCEPP has learnt that the African Social Forum planned for December 15-December 19/2002 may take place in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, and will like to express its strong opposition to any possible choice of Addis Abeba as a venue for a Forum that is globally inspired by the slogan of "another and better world" for all people.

SOCEPP's opposition is motivated by the fact that the holding of such a prestigious forum in Addis Abeba will give undue cover and prestige to a regime that has characterized itself by:

 · gross violations of human rights (more than 15,000 political prisoners, deportation of refugees, assassination of political dissenters,secret prisons, involuntary disappearances, rampant torture, ethnic discrimination, etc..)

· war-mongering both inside the country and in neighboring countries (Somalia for one);

· massive corruption;

· totalitarian agricultural and economic policies which have exposed more than 15 million people to a devastating famine.

The regime that has imposed itself on Ethiopia has also distinguished itself by persecuting democratic political forces, hampering the work of genuine NGOs, working against peace, refusing dialogue to solve political problems and generally going against good governance and the basic principles of democracy.

SOCEPP has called on all democratic political and civic organizations to express their opposition to the holding of the Africn Social Forum in Addis Abeba.

Please s end your protest letter to  Taoufik@enda.sn  and to  Maria Junqueira of the International Coommittees and Regional Forums of the World Social Forum via  fsm2003inter@uol.com.br

SOCEPP