October 8, 2003

The EPRDF led by Prime MInsiter Meles Zenawi has been identified as one of the top predators of the Free Press and it seems it is living up to its notorious reputation.

ETHIOP magazine and newspaper has been one of the favorite targets of the EPRDF repression. On October 1,2003, at around 9 pm, three men in military uniform accosted Araya Tesfa Mariam, a journalist working for Ethiop, and severely beat him up and dumped him under a bridge. Araya had his teeth, arms and legs broken and was found by the police and taken to the Menelik Hospital Emergency Ward. ETHIOP newspaper and magazine have gained popularity as objective critics of the EPRDF and its policies. This has brought upon the editors and journalists the wrath of the authorities and ETHIOP editors and journalists have been dumped into prison more than once. The beating of Araya Tesfa Mariam is but another example of the EPRDF's determination to threaten, repress and silence the ETHIOP.

The repression against the Free Press is likely to be intensified. Persistent and sly attacks are being made against the Ethiopian Free Journalists' Association (EFJA). A new and even more repressive Press Law is awaiting adoption. The circulation of newspapers in the country is curtailed or controlled and censorship is imposed in devious ways as journalists are jailed and fined for "incitement". The relentless attack against the freedom of the press is a characteristic of the EPRDF rule and the reason why the EPRDF is called one of the worst violators of the freedom of the press.

SOCEPP condemns in strong terms the EPRDF that ordered the brutal beating up of journalist Araya Tesfa Mariam. The harassment and repression directed against ETHIOP must stop. The imprisoned free journalists must be released without condition. The EPRDF controls the mass media (radio, TV, etc..) and it should not be allowed to stamp out the few free journalists and magazines/newspapers trying to

keep the idea of the freedom of the press alive.

STOP THE REPRESSION AGINST ETHIOP!!

STOP THE VIOLATION OF THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS!!

SOCEPP