November 24/ 2008

CONDEMN THE WIDESPREAD ARREST AND REPRESSION OF OROMOS

The repressive regime of Meles Zenawi has unleashed a new wave of arrest and repression directed against Oromos. Poet and lecturer Assafa Dibaba, OFDM secretary general Bekele Jirrata, ETV female employee Lelise Wedajo,Hilton Hotel deputy manager Kebede,Hawi Hotel owner Eshetu Kitil and singer Zerihu  Wedajo are among dozens rounded up and jailed.

The regime's latest repression directed against Oromos is covered up by its blatant accusation that they are all working with the OLF. The regime  has also paraded some youths and old people alleging that they were captured while preparing terrorist attacks in the capital city. Beleaguered by a failing war in and invasion of Somalia, committing daily atrocities in the Ogaden, facing mounting repression and resistance the regime of Meles Zenawi is turning more and more ferocious and repressive and striking even at legal and loyal opposition forces in the country. The ethnic politics of the ruling front has failed miserably and the majority of people justifiably feel oppressed and discriminated against. Meanwhile, the regime had launched a propaganda offensive claiming to be ready for talks with the OLF while it is holding in its dungeons thousands of Oromos alleged to be rebels or sympathizers of the OLF.

SOCEPP strongly condemns the ongoing repression targeting Oromos and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners.

SOCEPP