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January 21, 2000 INTENSIFIED REPRESSION LINKED TO THE COMING ELECTIONS Continuous and reliable reports affirm that the government has intensified its repression against rival political organizations in connection with the general elections expected to take place next May. · The Burji People's Democratic Organization, which had a seat in the parliament, has officially withdrawn from the elections charging that the government security forces have beaten up, jailed and generally harassed its members and candidates. · The All-Amhara People's Organization has also continued to report the harassment and imprisonment of its members and candidates. Leaders and supporters of the organization have also been blackmailed by hiked up and required tax payments on their businesses. In most instances, the government has let such people know that the tax payment will be cancelled if "they behave properly". · Particular repression continues to fall on the Gambella People's Democratic Congress. More than 50 of its members are in jail and the government has not shown any sign of let up. Teacher OPOMA ABOYA, who took part in panel meeting in Gambella and denounced the government forces in Dima who had burnt the Ethiopian flag and the flag of the GPDC, was apprehended in GOG district in early January and jailed up to now. · Several Nuer teachers and students have been jailed for demanding the right to learn in their own language just as the Anuaks. · The nine persons "chosen" to supervise the election in Gambella are reportedly all members of the Gambella People's Democratic Front which is allied to the ruling EPRDF thereby making the possibility of a fair election in the region minimal. · Reports coming from diverse areas of the country attest to the fact that the government is trampling on the right of the people to have a free and fair election. SOCEPP calls again for an end to the repression and reminds the backers of the government that they have the duty to protest against the repression unleashed by the government and its actions that go against the basic notions of a free and fair election. SOCEPP
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