February 14, 2000
DISAPPEARANCES
The EPRDF government has refused to account on the fate of ASHENAFI MENGISTU who was detained by the security forces of the EPRDF in September 1993 and has disappeared since. Ashenafi, a graduate of the Addis Abeba university with a degree in History, was a teacher in the Kokeb Tsebah school, Addis Abeba. The government has also refused to account for Ms Aberash Berta, Lemma Hailu and Tesfaye Kebede (a.k.a. Abohaye) who were jailed in May 1993 and who have disappeared since. They were all detained in Addis Abeba just before and after the killing of the EPRP leader GebreIgziabher (Gaim) by government troops. The government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has also refused to say what has happened to prisoners Wondu Sirak Desta and the trade unionist Abebe Ainekulu imprisoned in Bahr Dar in 1993/94. The same is the case with journalists Kumsa Baryu and Berhanu Ijigu. SOCEPP calls on the EPRDF government to give full account on the whereabouts of the above and other political prisoners who have disappeared while in custody.
