JANUARY 2006

Since June 2005, the official repression in Ethiopia has intensified and reached all areas. The outcry against the repression has not resulted in any decrease. Recently, students and other citizens have protested peacefully through demonstrations and strikes. The authorities have detained thousands, killed dozens and imposed a virtual reign of fear by using fierce and violent security forces.

More than 50,000 prisoners have been detained in virtual concentration camps in Dedesa, Zwai and other camps and secret prisons;

Dozens have been disappeared all over the country and more than 1298 people killed have been killed.

The authorities have unleashed their security forces on the people by systematically gong from one town to another (Gondar, Debre Berhan, Bahr Dar, Dessie, etc) to arrest people en masse in an effort to silence any possible protest;

The summary killings an selected assassinations by professional snipers are supplemented by severe beatings of students so as to break their arms and legs and cripple them;

Thousands have been forced to flee to neighboring countries;

The authorities have stepped up their systematic and well orchestrated campaign to fan ethnic conflicts;

The security forces have planted bombs near schools and universities in an effort to cause damage while at the same time accusing the Opposition of resorting to terror.

 

The repression is intensifying almost all over Ethiopia. Sadly enough, the regime is emboldened by the support it continues to get from the USA and the practical absence of any vigorous condemnation. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and his cohorts should be accused of genocide and of violent crimes against the people of Ethiopia.