SEPTEMBER 18/2001

STOP VIOLATING THE RIGHTS OF THE TPLF DISSIDENTS

 A political row that broke out within the Tigrai People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the major component of the ruling EPRDF, has resulted in the imprisonment of a number of people opposed to the Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi. While some of those jailed are political leaders of the TPLF (such as Seye Abraha, Bitew Belay, etc..),others are businessmen allegedly linked to the dissidents either by blood or business interests. In addition, several leaders of the EPRDF who sided with the dissidents have also been jailed and all have been accused of engaging in corruption and abuse of power.

 Ironic as it is to note that the present victims of the absence of the rule of law are the same people who had vigorously been defending the system, it is apparent that the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is detaining Seye Abraha and others not on corruption charges but for political reasons and that the accusations of corruption are being used for political ends. This is in clear violation of the rights of the imprisoned. Furthermore, it is clear that the accused are being tried over the media with the Prime Minister himself joining in the condemnation of the accused before they have even been tried. This is another violation. Seye Abrha suffers from a painful sinus condition and has been denied adequate medical care. Other dissidents who had not been arrested have been denied the right of movement and subjected to psychological and other undue pressures.

SOCEPP condemns the violations of the rights of the dissidents whose difference with the Prime Minister and his group is primarily political and therefore their incarceration is also on political grounds. The detained should be immediately released. It is also apparent that they cannot have a fair trial given the official condemnation and negative campaign that has been unleashed against them over the State controlled media. The harassment of their kin and relatives must also be stopped and the denial of medical care ended.

SOCEPP