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April 3, 2000
PLIGHT OF ETHIOPIAN REFUGEES IN SOUTH AFRICA
It is with deep regret that SOCEPP has come to learn that South Africa's
policy towards African refugees in general has worsened and seems to
carry deplored prejudices from its own past. Refugees are being blamed
for violent crimes, for social problems, housing shortages, for
unemployment, in short for all and sundry amidst official and unofficial
statements which reflect not pan African solidarity but sentiments best
left to others who look down upon Africans.
SOCEPP had in the past written to South African authorities to remind
them of their responsibilities vis a vis refugees and to call upon them
to desist from deporting Ethiopian refugees (such as Buzayehu Alemayehu,
etc...).
Presently, the Ethiopian refugees in South Africa are also facing the
grave threat of deportation. SOCEPP believes that the decision by South
Africa to deport Ethiopian refugees is a mistake and a violation of the
rights of genuine asylum seekers. It goes against the laws and charters
adopted or signed by South Africa itself not to mention the fact that
Ethiopia's long standing solidarity with the struggling people of South
Africa cannot be acknowledged by sending her children back to a sure
death. It would for sure be a mistake to assume that the South African
government does not know that the government in Ethiopia represses
dissent and that other deported refugees
have disappeared while in its custody.
SOCEPP calls on the government of South Africa to reconsider its policy
and to desist from any deportation measure directed against Ethiopian
refugees who are fleeing from political persecution much as South
Africans used to do in the past when they fled to other countries (including
Ethiopia).
SOCEPP
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