April 21, 2000
ILLEGAL DETENTION, FORCED LABOUR & INHUMAN TREATMENT
As the EPRDF government rejects the widespread call to release political prisoners (it is on the contrary building new wings for the notorious Kaliti prison), reports reaching SOCEPP reveal that government repression is spreading in South Ethiopia. Specifically, SOCEPP has received the report that prisoners are being beaten up, subjected to forced labour and held for long periods without any due process of law.
In the special district of KONSO, in the jail named "Amsale Si'ol" ("Hell's Copy) by the inmates, scores of prisoners are being held in inhumane conditions. These prisoners are being forced to work on government farm, to dig latrines for the government, to wash the uniform of the police, etc. without pay and under duress.
The earthen floor of the jail is a good breeding ground for jiggers and the cramped prisoners suffer as a consequence from these and fleas and bugs. Health condition is dismal, no treatment is given to any sick prisoner.
Prisoners are tied by chains which are locally made and crude and cut into their arms and legs and lead to infection many times. In one instance of 31 prisoners, it was revealed that none have been brought before a court of law and some have been detained for 3 years now. Police have confiscated all books, pencils and ball point pens, paper, playing cards, knitting needles, etc.. from the prisoners. What is worse is that there are many children who are in prison along with their parents and they are nduring the suffering (forced labour included in some instances).
In North Omo zone, in the district of Gumaide, 43 peasants who complained about the new district structure were detained. While some were released on bail Mebrate Belayneh, Mamo Blelte, Mengesha Guse, Wondimu Wolde Gabriel, Indeshaw Woldecherkos and several others are still in detention. Most of the prisoners were robbed off their money and other personal belongings. In a related news: in Ambo town, many students are still in detention. SOCEPP has the names of Tefera Bekele,Gelasa Lemma, Berhanu Yaye, Abebe Derbabo, Bekele Duguma, dereje Bobosa, Tutuba Gudisa, Alula Wegi, Bekele Tolosa, Zegeye Gurmesa, Kumela Regassa, Bekele Guta and Kebe Gudisa amongst the new prisoners held in the Senkele police training center
SOCEPP
