June 7/2006

MURDERERS OF TESFAYE TADESSE STILL AT LARGE

ON June 7/1998, human rights activist and journalist Tesfaye Tadesse, the father of two young children. Was hacked and stabbed to death near his house. The murderers have been identified as two agents of the security department of the Meles Zenawi regime. A call for their arrest and trial has been ignored by the regime up to now.

Prior to his death, Tesfaye Tadesse was arrested several times by the authorities who  threatened him and ordered him to stop his activity as a human rights defender and independent newspaper publisher. The regime also suspected Tesfaye of being an EPRP member or sympathizer. However,

he refused to forego his rights and thus was murdered by the order of the regime. Previously, the regime has also executed in cold blood teacher and human rights activist Assefa Maru, a close friend of Tesfaye.

SOCEPP condemns those responsible for the murder of Tesfaye Tadesse and holds

the Meles Zenawi regime responsible for this heinous crime. The murderers

should be apprehended and tried for their crimes.

SOCEPP