November 15, 2000

 MORE ON THE VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY

The government of the EPRDF continues to violate the rights of the people all over the country. Reports coming from Bahr Dar (Gojjam) reveal that more than 600 students have been forcefully quarantined in the university compound following an outbreak of typhoid and gastro-intestinal infections. What is evident is the fact that the students had been reporting sick since September but the government had ignored their pleas. Two students died have died consequently and one, Fuad Meka Ahmed, committed suicide unable to bear the pain in the absence of medical care. Government officials tried to hide/ignore the catastrophe as they prepare for the lavish 20th.anniversary celebration of a government controlled party (ANDM).

The violation of rights in the Amara region goes on unabated as government cadres confiscate land from the Amara farmers and resettle Tigreans on land in the region (Dansha,Abderafi, Metema,etc...). Moreover, pressure is being put on the people in these regions to join the government controlled ANDM. In the South, where the government violence during the election was fierce, the repression continues with ruthlessness. More than 350 people continue to suffer in prison in the Gedeo region. Ato Abebe Golge and countless others are also jailed without due process of law in Arba Minch zone.In Konso, all those who voted for the legal opposition parties or were candidates have been victims of harassment, beatings and imprisonment.Ato Lechamo Gemecho and countless others in the Omo Valley zone have beeen brutally beaten.

In Hadiya,Katcha bira,Angetcha,Kedida,Alaba and other districts too many have suffered. All this is because the people gave their support and votes to opposition candidates. Government forces which are commanded by the officials of the ruling party (the TPLF) are acting with impunity as they systematically try to stifle the people and to isolate the opposition parties.

SOCEPP