September 27/2000

THE REPRESSION CONTINUES

 The extensive repression that was witnnessed in many parts of Ethiopia in connection with the general election of last May is continuing in many areas of South and central Ethiopia. Reliable reports indicate that, since July 2000, more than 1600 people are being held in several prisons in Wolaita, Hadiya,Arba Minch,Kenbata and Gedeo without ever being brought before a court of law.

The illegal detention and mistreatment is linked to the district /wereda/ elections and cadres of the ruling front are using the winter closure of courts to keep more people in jail without even going through the motions of bringing them to court. Civil servants who had/have become opposition candidates, are being summarily sent off from their jobs. In several towns like Ambo and Nazareth similar arbitrary arrests have been signalled.

 At the same time, reports indicate that the government has stepped up its repression in many areas where there is a growing opposition to the transfer of the capital of Oromia region from Addis Abeba to Nazareth. Special targets of the repression have been identified as actual or suspected members/sympathizers of the Oromo National Congress, the Metcha Tulema Association and the All Amhara People's Organization which wants Nazreth to be a chartered city. Other reports indicate that the ruling EPRDF has hardened its stance vis a vis human rights since the end of the war with Eritrea.

SOCEPP