DECEMBER 10 INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
December 10, the International Human Rights Day, compels us to focus on the increasing violation of rights in the continent, in our region and specially in Ethiopia. An overview of the past year's human rights condition brings to light that the EPRDF government still holds the highest number of journalists in prison, still refuses to account on the fate of dozens of the disappeared, still refuses to rein in its security forces who continue to violate the law and to engage in summary executions. More than 13,500 political prisoners languish in official and secret prisons, in hell holes like Kaliti, Dukem, Quiha,etc... The government went through the motions of setting a human rights Ombdusman but it was more intended for show rather than to manifest a serious desire to check on human rights. The war situation with Eritrea also led to gross human rights violations as thousands of Eritreans and Ethiopians of Eritrean origin were arbitrarily and brutally deported. Ethiopians in Eritrea did not also fare well and in both countries youngsters were rounded up and forcefully sent to the frontlines. In Djibouti, even marathon runner Ahmed Saleh landed in jail where more than 80 FRUD and other opposition leaders are already suffering denied a proper trial or medical care. In Somalia, warlords continue to wreak havoc together with the invading EPRDF troops who have now detained scores of Somalis, including colonel Abdi Warsameh Issaq, on the grounds that they (meaning members of the Rahaweyn Resistance Army which was previously backed by the EPRDF itself), are responsible for the landmine that was planted on th road between Baydahbo and Xuddur (towns occupied by EPRDF forces n Southwestern Somalia) and killed an EPRDF officer. In the Sudan, amidst reports that Chinese soldiers are taking part in the war in the South, the violations of rights continue unabated and the recent torching of villages in Bentiu by the government supported Nuer militia of Paulino Mathiep highlight the gravity of the situation. Ethiopian refugees are also being denied their basic rights. SOCEPP believes that the violation of the rule of law has become routine and characteristic for the government in Ethiopia. Numerous appeals made for the release of political prisoners are ignored while the authorities persist in claiming there are no political prisoners whatsoever just because they concoct false criminal charges and railroad their political dissenters to prison. The war situation is also being used to shelve aside human rights considerations and the spreading lawlessness has made vulnerable sectors (children,women, minorities) helpless victims . In the areas of guerilla conflict, reports of atrocities both by the government and the guerillas (Ogaden,etc...) have been made and in most cases confirmed. December 10 is thus another day which calls on all of us to intensify the campaign to denounce the violation of rights and to express solidarity with the victims of repressive governments.
SOCEPP
