November 1:2006

 

(OPEN LETTER TO BRITISH MP LAURENCE ROBERTSON)

 

STOP GIVING COVER TO THE REPRESSIVE REGIME IN ETHIOPIA

 

It is sad to note that British Conservative MP Laurence Robertson who led a parliamentary deelgation to Addis Ababa has made gratuitous statements  supporting the non existent "democratic credentials" of the Meles Zenawi regime. Moreover, if official reports are to be believed, MP Robertson has even justified the massacre of more than 200 innocent Ethiopians by the repressive regime alleging that "the government has the duty and responsibility to stand firmly against those who would use undemocratic and unconstitutional means to see change of government".

 

To beign with, the MP from Tewkesbury should have learnt that the EPRDF Constitution was never freely approved by the people.Secondly, the people peacefully protested against the vote rigging which has been condemned even by the European Union.  If peaceful protest is undemocratc, one is obliged to ask this British MP what is? The Inquiry Commission members that have been forced to flee from Ethiopia have denounced the Meles Zenawi regime for attempting to cover up the massacre and have accused it of using excessive force on innocent protesters. Why is MP Robertson trying to apologize for the regime and to accuse the victims so callously? Isn't this undue interference in the affairs of the Ethiopian people and sprinkling salt in their wounds?

 

SOCEPP strongly condemns the statement by MP Laurence Robertson and calls on the Conservative Party to distance itself from his declarations. Those who give solace and backing to criminals forefeit their democratic credentials. MP Robertson has wounded the people of Ethiopia by lauding the non existent "democratic" progress of the brutal regime that has been and is condemned locally and interenationally as one of the worst human rights predator.

 

Send your protest letters to the British Conservative Party and MP Robertson.

SOCEPP