March 29, 2002

WHERE ARE THE "DISAPPEARED"

A report by the US State Department on the state of human rights in Ethiopia surprisingly stated that there are no reports of "disappeared" prisoners in Ethiopia. SOCEPP has in the past repeatedly put out the list of the very many prisoners "disappeared" by the EPRDF over the years. Lest these prisoners may get forgotten, SOCEPP hereby lists some of the "disappeared" on whose fate the EPRDF has to give account.

 In 1991, the EPRDF had in its custody Tsegaye Gebre Medhin, Yishal Debretsion, Sitotaw Hussein, Belete Amha, Azanaw Demile, Hagos Bezabih, Hagos Bezabih, Teklai Gebre Sellasie and Desalegne Amsalu-all EPRP leaders or members. Hagos Atsebha.a former TPLF cadre, is also one of the earlies of the disappeared. In 1993, the EPRDF detained the following teachers and "disappeared" them: (from Addis Abeba) Ashenafi Mengistu and Getnet Asnake, and from Arba Minch (Gamo Gofa) Demissie Tesfaye,Mot Baynor Nure and Weyob Ashenafi.

* Journalists Kumsa Burayo and Berhanu Ijigu were also "disappeared" since the early 90s. Trade unionist Abebe Ainekulu met also the same fate around the same period.

 * In 1993, EPRP members Wondu Sirak Desta , Lemma Hailu,Ms Aberash Berta and Tesfaye Kebede were detained in Addis Abeba and have disappeared since.

* Other prisoners who have disappeared after being jailed are Teshome Beyene, Tekele Borona,Terefe Ajire,Abayneh Shiferaw,Abdu M.Ali, Gudina Insa, Captain Bulto Kumsa, Bushra Alnoor, Boba Gelma,etc..

 SOCEPP once again calls on human rights organizations to demand that the EPRDF gives an account of the dozens of prisoners who have "disappeared" in its custody.

SOCEPP