REPRESSION
INTENSIFIED ALL OVER
ETHIOPIA
In
the last week alone hundreds of Ethiopians belonging to the opposition
United Ethiopian Democratic Forces (UEDF) and the Coalition for Unity
and Democracy (CUD) have been rounded up and imprisoned
all over Ethiopia. The repression is part of the regime's
attempt to put an end to the popular peaceful resistance following the
vote fraud committed by the EPRDF headed by Meles Zenawi.
The
regime has falsely alleged that opposition members and leaders have
plotted a coup and armed violence. This is a baseless accusation aimed
at justifying the ongoing repression and the State violence that is
expected during the October 2 peaceful protest demonstration in
Addis
Ababa
and more than 20 other towns. The head of the EPRDF, Meles Zenawi, has
officially threatened opposition leaders with violent retribution and
has falsely accused them of being "criminals". Knowing full
well that the ruling group defeated in the last May election is an
adept at fabricating evidences and railroadin g political opponents
there are fears for the safety of the leaders of the opposition forces.
Furthermore the state controlled media is fanning conflict between
ethnic groups with an unjust campaign based on anti Amara vitriolic.
The
repression in
Ethiopia
is intensifying. More arrests are expected in the coming days. The
October 22 peaceful demonstration may also be repressed violently.
There are reports that, prior to this date, the leaders of UEDF and
CUD may be imprisoned. Already, some of them have beaten, threatened,
have their houses and cars broken into. The regime has also resorted
to hiring agents to disrupt organizations and to occupy their offices.
All this is being undertaken by a group that claims to respect the
rule of law and wants to cling to power illegally after it had been
defeat ed at the polls.
Please
call for an end to the repression in
Ethiopia
.
Release
All Political Prisoners!
End
the Repression Against the People!!