APRIL 30/2001

SIX STUDENTS KILLED IN AMBO,MANY DISAPPEARED

 Reports reaching SOCEPP reveal that six students have been shot dead by government police at Jeldu, Ambo in connection with the student demonstrations for their civic rights. These same sources reveal that the bodies of 14 prisoners shot dead in Nazreth Prison have not been handed over to their kin but have been buried in a mass grave. The bullet- riddled bodies of two unidentified students have also been found in the Kotebe area (Addis Abeba) thereby fuelling the suspicion that the government is taking extra judicial actions against student activists.

 SOCEPP has also learnt that scores of students, including Getachew Belete, Yigzaw Alemu, Mebrat Ijigu, Dereje Aichilum, Lemma Debebe and many others have actually disappeared in Addis Abeba and other towns. Government police have also been accused of executing certain people under the cover of taking action against demonstrators. In this connection, Engineer Belew Kassa, executive officer of the Bure Baguna Minera Water co, was shot dead by the police as he stood on the balcony of his apartment at Arat Kilo, Addis Abeba. An elderly man was also summarily shot near the Tourist Hotel, Addis Abeba. Many other such actions have been cited to show that the government security forces uses violence deliberately and arbitrarily without any concern for the law or the rights of the people.

 The government attempt to railroad certain students as the ones responsible for the violence and the damage to property calls for condemnation as the facts show the government itself provoked and spearheaded the killings and the overall violence. The arrest of the leaders and members of the legal political parties (EDP, AAPO, etc) and their transportation to the Zwai prison-labour camp. The fact that the 20th mechanized Division and many more soldiers have been brought into Addis Abeba has not also calmed the fear of the people. The possibilities of more violence and repression are very much in evidence.

 SOCEPP calls on the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to stop the repression against the students and the people, to release all the detained and to respect the rule of law.

SOCEPP