Regular Report 28:(Amharic version)The Human Rights Situation in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Human Rights Council has released its 28th Regular Report of the human rights situation in Ethiopia in Amharic. The English version will be released soon.

http://www.ehrco.org/reports%5Creg28.pdf (Amharic Version)

The Fascist Meles Zenawi Regime of Ethiopia Should be denounced by all on International Freedom of Press Day



On September 28, 2007, the world celebrates International Freedom of Press. September 28 is celebrated every year by all countries of the world as the International Freedom of Press Day or The Right to Information Day. This day is the day where countries and governments of the world pledge to respect the rights of their citizens of speaking and writing and of getting and exchanging information in general. On this day governments investigate those who violate these rights based on international laws and the law and constitution of their respective countries. It is a day where those governments who respect freedom of press are commended and those who violate those rights be condemned.



The current TPLF/EPRDF regime of Meles Zenawi is known for suppressing freedom of press and harassing, imprisoning and killings of journalists in its 16 years of holding power. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports every year that this regime considers freedom of press and free media as number one enemy of its tyrannical rule and existence. In today’s Ethiopia all free media such as radio, television, newspapers, websites …etc. are non-existent and/or closed except for those who are affiliated with the TPLF regime and its members. Websites of opposition parties such as that of OLF, ONLF, SLF and many others are blocked by Meles’ tyrannical regime and cannot be accessed in Ethiopia. Currently the government is sabotaging and/or attempting to jam the functioning of radio programs such as VOL (Voice of Oromo Liberation), Radio Huriya (ONLF), Tinsae (CUDP), including the independent and internationally known radio programs such as SUBE, VOA, and DW.



There are reliable reports that the regime is investing billions of dollars for jamming the above radio stations in collaboration with a super power in Asia. In addition to this the regime is engaged in a campaign and sabotage for the closure of opposition media by lobbying and bribing international companies renting radio airtimes and websites in order for the government to rule over 70 million people under subjugation by depriving the people the right to information. Moreover, the Woyane regime is promoting the same policy of silencing the media in Somalia. In collaboration with the current puppet TFG of Somalia the Woyane soldiers are engaged in harassing, arresting and murdering free press journalists, and closed free radios and websites.



The dictatorial regime of Meles Zenawi is probably the number one enemy of free press and media in the world. The objective of this regime is clear: to tyrannically rule the people by putting them in darkness where the people cannot raise any questions to the atrocities perpetrated by the regime. Such an evil policy of depriving the people freedom of information pursues by the terrorist regime of TPLF/EPRDF should be strongly condemned by all on September 28, 2007.



Editorial Statement of OLF

September 23, 2007

OSG Press Release No. 43

OSG Press Release No. 43 July 2006-2007 This publication includes information on violations of human rights in Ethiopia from victims of abuses, their close relatives and eye-witnesses as well as information from publicly available sources. According to anecdotal accounts from refugees and visitors and according to reports by investigators from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, the widespread detention and mistreatment of civilians who criticise or oppose the government in Ethiopia continues, undiminished. Prisoners of conscience remain in detention without trial, accused by the government of supporting the Oromo Liberation Front, or other opposition groups. A large amount of information regarding abuses following post-election disturbances and related arrests is available. Although fewer reports of abuses which have taken place in remote areas are received by OSG than hitherto, reports which have been received suggest that this is not because of any reduction in the prevalence of abuse. The Oromia Support Group is a non-political organisation which attempts to raise awareness of human rights abuses in Ethiopia. OSG has now reported 3,981 extra-judicial killings and 943 disappearances of civilians suspected of supporting groups opposing the government. Most of these have been Oromo people. Scores of thousands of civilians have been imprisoned. Torture and rape of prisoners is commonplace, especially in unofficial detention centres, often in military camps. Lack of democracy and accountability of government in Ethiopia is the single most important factor in the poverty, under-development and low quality and length of life in Ethiopia.

Human Right Abuses in Ethiopia

Contents:

Inquiry finds Ethiopian government guilty of killings in 2005 CUD trials Oromo political detentions in Kaliti prison Oromo students, detention, dismissals and demonstration at AAU President of Oromia Court: Judicial interference and harassment Addis Ababa and Central Oromia Region: Killings - Disappearances, Detentions and torture Persecution of Macha-Tulama Association officers Eastern Oromia: Killings, torture and detentions Western Oromia: Killings, torture and detentions Southern Oromia: Kenya returns asylum seekers, Pastoralists clash Ogaden/Somali Region: Scorched earth campaign against ONLF Tigray Region: Student killed SNNPR: Gambella detainees still held, Anuak village razed Members of Parliament killed, detained and forced into exile Discrimination, disappearances and defection from armed forces News of cholera outbreak suppressed Press in Ethiopia: ‘One of world’s leading jailers of journalists’ Ethiopia denies accusations of censorship by internet watchdog Somalia: Oromo refugees refouled, killed, Ethiopian ‘Guantánamo’ Yemen: Deportations, drownings, detention and deaths Sudan detains Ethiopians and Eritreans Europe: Defections, dissidents, death and stalking of refugee Abbreviations Oromia Support Group