November 17, 2000

 ETHIOPIAN REFUGEES IN THE SUDAN APPEAL TO THE UNHCR FOR PROTECTION

On October 25, SOCEPP issued a statement calling on the UNHCR to revoke the so-called "cessation clause" which has withdrawn refugee status from thousands of Ethiopians exiled in the neighbouring countries. SOCEPP also warned that what was being prepared, especially in the Sudan, amounted to no more than forced repatriation. What SOCEPP feared seems to be happening. As we write this 15 protection officers of the UNHCR, assisted by local UNHCR and COR staff, are spread in Khartoum, Port Sudan, El Gedaref and Medani interviewing Ethiopian refugees.

Of the concerned refugees in Port Sudan, who were said to be willing to repatriate voluntarily, 95% have told the protection officers that they signed on for the repatriation under duress since the Sudanese authorities threatened them that they will be thrown into the Red Sea or dark dungeons unless they agree to repatriate. The refugees have also informed the protection officers that their translators are none other than members of the ruling party in Ethiopia, the Tigrean People's Liberation Front. While in Port Sudan, one lady protection officer did agree to change the translators, The new ones brought in were also from the same party or sympathizers of the TPLF.

The refugees have let it be known that the protection officers ask them detailed questions on their political affiliations and activities (including identities of contacts, leaders, structures, etc...) and that this otherwise secret information is being passed to the ruling TPLF/EPRDF. Appeals by the refugees to meet with the chief UNHCR officials or to bring in their own translators have been rejected by the UNHCR. There is little doubt now that the UNHCR is (a witting or unwitting) party to the sinister attempt to forcefully repatriate Ethiopian refugees who still continue to face grave dangers from the one ethnic based and repressive government in Ethiopia. SOCEPP calls on all peace loving people to protest against the UNHCR 's "cessation clause", against its ill-disguised forced repatriation policy and against its refusal to let the refuges have their own trusted translators. Ethiopian refugees in the Sudan need protection not forced repatriation.

SOCEPP