SEPTEMBER 3/2008

THE CASE OF THE FORGOTTEN PRISONERS

Dozens of political prisoners that have been disappeared such as Tsegaye Gebre Medhin, Sitotaw Hussein, Berhanu Ijigu, Getnet Asnake, Yishak Debre Tsion, Belete Amha, Azanaw Demilew, Desalegn, Wondu Sirak, Abebe Ainekulu, Berhanu Ijigu, Teklai and Hagos, Demissie and Tesfaye, Lemma and Aberash Berta continue. sadly and inexplicably, to be ignored by the local and many international human rights organizations. In this communiqué, we are raising the plight of political prisoners like Abera Yemane Ab and Tamrat Layne that have been railroaded and are purging long prison terms.

Abera was a leader of the opposition COEDF and went to Addis Ababa in 1993 to take part in a peace and reconciliation conference. He was arrested at Bole airport and jailed illegally foe years before being condemned for ten years (after he had served 12), the n released, then rearrested and sentenced for 25 years.  Tamrat Layne was the prime minster of the Transitional Government headed by Meles Zenawi and was jailed for political reasons and railroaded and condemned. Though there are reports that he may be released in the near future he is purging a long sentence that is motivated by political revenge on the part of Meles Zenawi. For SOCEPP, what is primary and important is the fact that these two are imprisoned because of their political stance and not for any alleged crime that they may have committed. Both are ignored by local and international human rights bodies.

SOCEPP calls for the immediate release of Abera Yemane Ab and Tamrat Layne and for the release of all political prisoners in Ethiopia.

SOCEPP