May 8/2001

 FOUNDER OF HUMAN RIGHTS BODY ARRESTED IN ADDIS ABEBA

 Reports reaching SOCEPP affirm that Professor Mesfin Wolde Mariam,the founder of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, and Dr. Berhanu Nega,a university lecturer, have ben arrested by government polcie this morning at around 11 a.m.

They were taken to the Ma'kelawi and then to another undisclosed detention center. The government has ben accusing the EHRCO in connection with the student protests that were met with violence on its part (more than 41 killed).

 SOCEPP condemns the action of the government and calls for the imemdaite release of the above two.The government has arrested other political leaders and activists and is keeping them incommunicado.Today's arrests are part of the ongoing government repression against any form of dissent or criticism.

SOCEPP calls on all peace lovingforces to call for the immeidate release of professor Mesfin and Dr. Berhanu and an end to all the repression.

SOCEPP