November 17/2007

DOZENS MORE OFFICERS IMPRISONED WITHOUT DUE PROCESS

The imprisonment of Major Teshome, the secretary of the ousted air force head, Major General Alemshet Degfe, has highlighted the ongoing repression directed against non Tigrean army officers. Hundreds of officers are now incarcerated in the Tatek camp where the Major above is being held in inhumane conditions. Other places where officers are being held are Adigrat, Tolai,Chiffra, Bahr Dar and Titta.

 The repression against army officers follows increasing dissidence within the armed forces as a result of the ongoing ethnic discriminatory policies of the ruling EPRDF. Recently, many Tigrean officers were given promotion and financial rewards while officers from other ethnic groups were ignored. Many officers have also raised their voices against the invasion of Somalia, against the impending war with Eritrea, against the mistreatement of soldiers and NCOs, against corruption by high level army officers. The regime has also accused many of sympathies for opposition movements. The prison condition in Tatek and other areas is worse than horrible with the detinees mistreated routinely, denied food and medical treatment and subjected to physical and psychological torture.

 SOCEPP denounces the ongoing repression targeting officers and the sytemic denial of due process of law.

SOCEPP