SAY NO TO DICTATORS! RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS!!!! JOIN US ON OUR PROTEST AGAINST THE PRESCENCE OF MELES ZENAWI AT THE G20 MEETING ! (click here for details)
Beloved, and behind bars
Birtukan Mideksa, the country’s main opposition leader, has been in jail for 18 months
...Mideksa, the only female leader of a main opposition party in Africa, is being held in a two-by-two-metre cell she shares with two other prisoners. She’s been at Kaliti jail for 18 months—her second stay in the hot, crowded maze of sheet-metal shacks at the southern edge of Addis Ababa, the capital... ...All this as the West, Ottawa included, lavishes record amounts of aid on Ethiopia, subsidizing a government now ranked among Africa’s most repressive and dictatorial regimes... (read Mores)
Ethiopia election win tainted, observers say
...Official results show a massive victory for the ruling party of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who has dominated Ethiopia since seizing power in an armed takeover in 1991. His party captured at least 499 of the 547 parliamentary seats, the national election board announced...
...But the election was marred by “a narrowing of political space and an uneven playing field,” according to a statement by election observers from the European Union...
..Aklilu Wendafetrew, head of the Canadian branch of a solidarity committee for Ethiopian political prisoners, said the election shows that Ethiopia is “continuing to slide away from democracy into absolute totalitarianism.” Western donors such as Canada should use their influence to pressure Mr. Meles to move toward free and fair elections, he said. (Read More)
U.S. warns Ethiopia future relations at stake David Gollust | State Department | May 27, 2010 WASHINGTON - The United States cautioned Ethiopia Wednesday that future bilateral relations will be shaped by whether the Addis Ababa government is responsive to international criticism of its just-completed elections. The State Department said the election rules heavily favored the ruling party, which virtually swept the parliamentary vote. (read more)
Ethiopia opposition leaders call for new elections
Head of the main opposition coalition Merera Gudina said he will not accept the results, which gave Prime Minister Meles Zenawi a landslide victory.
Mr Merera says two party members were killed by security forces, reports say. The EU and US have both criticised the polls, saying they fell short of international standards. Ethiopian officials have denied fraud. Mr Merera, chairman of the Medrek coalition of eight main opposition parties, has called for a new election. (Read More)
May 26, 12:53 PM EDT
Ethiopia PM rebuffs election critics
By ANITA POWELL Associated Press Writer
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) -- Ethiopia's newly re-elected prime minister sharply rebuffed U.S. and European Union criticism of the weekend election, as opposition leaders called Wednesday for a rerun.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said his party's landslide win in Sunday's poll was free and fair despite the EU's initial report that concluded the ruling party was given an unfair advantage. He is now poised to begin five more years of rule, and celebrated that by holding a rally on Tuesday. (read more)
EU observers have criticised Ethiopia's election, as Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held a victory rally attended by tens of thousands of people. (read more)
CHRIS FLAHERTY GOES ON HUNGER STRIKE TO RAISE AWARENESS A
LAUDABLE CHALLENGE WE MUST ALL SUPPORT!
We have learned that the filmmaker and producer of the “Migration of Beauty” – a documentary about Ethiopians who fled their country, is launching today a one-man hunger strike in front of the White House to help raise awareness about the grim human rights conditions in Ethiopia. It must be known that Mr. Flaherty has been and remains to be one of the few friends of Ethiopia who has irelessly been campaigning for the unconditional release of Miss Birtukan Mideksa and all prisoners of conscience who continue to suffer in the dungeons of the TPLF/EPRDF regime.
SOCEPP Canada applauds and fully endorses the works and efforts of this courageous fighter for justice and human rights and will continue to do its part in all its power to make sure that the plight of Ethiopians is heard and answered positively.
We call upon all Diaspora Ethiopians and human rights advocates worldwide to heed the calls of Mr. Flaherty, support his efforts if not also do what he does best – take part in the hunger strike, so that the government of the United States and other concerned parties may pay attention to the plight of the Ethiopian people and stand behind their/our call for the respect of their human and political rights, for justice and democracy.
A fight for justice is always right and we support it wherever it takes place!
PRESS RELEASE
A STANDING COMMITTEE OF CANADIAN PARLIAMENT DISCUSSED PRE-ELECTION REPRESSION IN ETHIOPIA
On Tuesday, April 27, 2010, The Solidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners Canada (SOCEPP Canada) was invited to present a brief on the current situation of Ethiopia to the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. Two members of SOCEPP Canada, attended and briefed the full session of the Committee in the Canadian Parliament.
To read more on this and the presentation of SOCEPP-CANADA please click on the icons on the right
Ethiopia is a federal republic led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) coalition. The population is estimated at 77 million. In the 2005 parliamentary elections, the EPRDF won a majority of seats to remain the ruling party for a third consecutive five-year term. In local and by-elections held in April 2008, the EPRDF and allied parties took virtually all of the more than three million open seats contested nationwide. Prior to the vote, ruling coalition agents and supporters used coercive tactics and manipulation of the electoral process, including intimidation of opposition candidates and supporters. Political parties were predominantly ethnically based, and opposition parties remained splintered. During the year fighting between government forces, including local militias, and the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), an ethnically based, nationalist, insurgent movement operating in the Somali Region, resulted in continued allegations of human rights abuses, particularly diversion of food aid from intended beneficiaries suffering from a severe drought. While civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces, there were numerous instances in which elements within those forces acted independently of government authority. (readmore)
A Statement from Solidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners-Canada (SOCEPP Canada)
March 04, 2010
CANADIANS AND ETHIOPIANS CANNOT BE DUPED TO SERVE THE CAUSE OF A REPRESSIVE REGIME IN ETHIOPIA
The Canadian Solidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners (SOCEPP CANADA) is a non-governmental and non-partisan organization that campaigns for human rights protection and good governance in Ethiopia. One of our mandates is to inform the Canadian public and civic society groups on an ongoing basis about the continued human rights abuses and political repression in that country. As professional Ethiopian Canadians, it is our duty to inform and seek the support of the Canadian public and the government on issues that affect the interests of the two peoples.
The purpose of this statement is to bring to your attention atrocities of the current government of Ethiopia and appeal to your conscience not to get entangled in a Machiavellian scheme that is bent on making you a tool of one of the most despicable dictatorships in Africa... (To read more Click the PDF dcoument on your top right corner)
Ethiopia: Amnesty International calls on the Government of Ethiopia not to execute Melaku Tefera
Amnesty International has called on Ethiopian authorities not to execute Melaku Tefera, the only one of five men sentenced to death on 22 December 2009 who remains in Ethiopia. The other four sentenced to death in absentiaare exiled Ginbot 7 party leaders Berhanu Nega, Andargachew Tsige, Muluneh Eyouel and Mesfin Aman. On the same day 33 others, including one woman, received life sentences ( Click here to read more)
Notes and recommendations to the Heads of State and Government for the 14th Summit of the African Union
Addis Ababa – January 2010
On the occasion of the 14th Ordinary session of the Summit of Heads of state and government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, the FIDH would like to present its analysis, its preoccupations and its recommendations on the main issues that will be addressed by heads of state and governement: the issues of peace and security in Africa, the fight against impunity in Africa and, especially, the role of international justice on the continent. (click here to read more)
Release Birtukan Mideksa and All Political Prisoners!
In recognition of the first anniversary of Judge Birtukan Mideksa's unlawful imprisonment,
Advocacy for Ethiopia (AFE) calls for the unconditional release of Ethiopia's prisoner of conscience, and the first female political party leader in Ethiopia's long history, Judge Birtukan Mideksa... (Read More)
SOCEPP Canada unequivocally condemns the brutal sentencing of leaders and alleged members of the Ginbot (May) - 7 Movement!
SOCEPP Canada sincerely believes that TPLF/EPRDF latest action is part and parcel of the ongoing suppression of any dissent in the country that has become more prominent after the stolen election of May 2005. Read more
SOCEPP-CANADA WITH THE MEDIA
SOCEPP Canada had a very successful meeting in Ottawa, Canada Nov 18, 2009 where seven Members of Canadian Parliament and a number of Canadia government and non government official attended. Issues addressed in this meeting were Human Rights and the year 2010 election in Ethiopia. Presentation of organizers and invited guests and the final report of the conference were posted earlier.
This time, we are bringing you Mr. Aklilu Wondaferew's interview with the Voice Of America. Mr. Aklilu Wendaferew is the Current chairperson of SOCEPP-CANADA. We will provide you with other interviews as they come about.
If you have any comments or suggestions regarding SOCEPP-CANADA, this issue and or specifically to this interview, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are at socepp-can@humanrightsethiopia.com
Tamerat Negera was the editor-in-chief of Addis Neger, a weekly newspaper in Addis Ababa that has ceased publication after intimidation and harassment by the Ethiopian government. Mr. Negera, pictured here at Addis Neger's former offices, has since fled Ethiopia. Erin Conway-Smith for The Globe and Mail
With its staff forced into exile, influential newspaper succumbs to government crackdown and prints final edition
Geoffrey York
Addis Ababa — From Monday's Globe and Mail Published on Sunday, Dec. 06, 2009 11:18PM ESTLast updated on Monday, Dec. 07, 2009 3:48AM EST
It was one of the few remaining independent voices in Ethiopia. But one by one, the editors of Addis Neger have quietly slipped out of the country, fleeing from the imprisonment that they expected at any moment. (Read More)
Advocacy for Ethiopia
until every right is respected and every person free
No Blank Check for African Kleptocrats at Copenhagen Climate Conference!
From December 6 to 18, 2009, leaders and representatives of nations around the world, international organizations, and prominent individuals will convene in Copenhagen, Denmark at the much anticipated
Summit on Climate Change. We look forward to a positive outcome of this gathering and are hopeful that the conference achieves its objectives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to avert the colossal implications of climate change globally. We also recognize that those who would be most affected by ongoing damaging climate change are the people of developing nations, particularly those living in the continent of Africa. (Read More)
Report of the Ottawa (Canada) Panel Discussion on Human Rights & Election 2010 in Ethiopia
Organized by the Solidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners in Ethiopia ? (SOCEPP-CAN), a member of The Canadian Peace-building Network (Peacebuild), a panel discussion of invited parliamentarians, civic society organizations and other guests was held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa (Canada) on November 18, 2009 on two important agenda items: The state of Human Rights and Election 2010 in Ethiopia. (for the full report pleas click on the link below)
Concern About Human Rights As Ethiopia Prepares For Elections
Ethiopians go to polls next year amidst concerns about human rights abuses.
Douglas Mpuga | Washington, DC 21 November 2009
As Ethiopians prepare for elections next year some in the opposition say a credible election is impossible without urgent political reforms. The Solidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners Canada (SOCEPP-Can), an Ethiopian human rights group, this week held a one-day meeting in the Canadian capital, Ottawa, to discuss human rights issues in Ethiopia and the 2010 elections. The elections are slated for May 23 1010. (Read More)
Panel Discussion: Human Rights and Elections 2010 in Ethiopia
SOCEPP Canada had a very successful conference in Ottawa , Canada yesterday, Nov 18, 2009, where seven Canadian Members of Parliament and a number of government and non government official attended. The issue was Human Rights and the year 2010 election in Ethiopia . A complete report including presentations by Amnesty International Head in Canada , and other senior Canadian NGO leaders will be posted soon. Wehave posted the Agenda, an opening speech delivered by SOCEPP-CANADA representative, Aklilu Wendaferew and the press release.
Free and Fair Election Requires Substantive Negotiation!
Press Statement
For Immediate Release, 21 October 2009
The Ethiopian National Priorities Consultative Process (ENPCP), a network of rights based civil society organizations, is convinced that free and fair election is an important instrument for the prevention and resolution of conflicts, and the installation of a government that is accountable to the electorate. A democratically elected government opens political space for the opposition and civil society organizations, and has a better chance of resolving conflicts, building political stability and economic prosperity that helps stem the recurring scourge of hunger. It is from this firm belief that ENPCP enunciated the minimum conditions that are necessary for holding free and fair election in Ethiopia, in 2010...
..ENPCP members also note the recent positive intervention of the diplomatic community in Addis Ababa whose past posture, in the view of the general public, did not put enough pressure to temper the bellicose stand of the ruling regime. Our hope was and still is that the negotiations between the ruling regime and the opposition will be broader in scope so that the process paves the way for a comprehensive settlement of the country’s
governance problems. We keep observing that the present negotiations between EPRDF and most opposition parties do not bode well, in some cases even abruptly interrupted, simply because the government is irresponsibly posturing to escape from substantive and an all inclusive negotiation... (Read More)
International Conflict groups "Ethiopia: Ethnic Federalism and Its Discontents," has shown the prevailing gross violations of human rights in today's Ethiopia. Angered by this document Prime Minister Meles Zenawi commented on the document as a trash compiled by his enemies. However, his comments have caught the air times of many major international radios. In relation to this, Radio France International spoke with SOCEPP-CAN chair, Mr Aklilu Wendaferw, briefly.For details, please click on the icon below
The ICG report and Meles Daniela Kroslak replied to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's recent dismissal of the International Conflict Group's "Ethiopia: Ethnic Federalism and Its Discontents," by pointing out that he thought it was important enough to read it. (Read more)
ETHIOPIA: ETHNIC FEDERALISM AND ITS DISCONTENTS
The Ethiopian Peoples’ Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), led by its chairman and prime minister, Meles Zenawi, has radically reformed Ethiopia’s political system. The regime transformed the hitherto centralised state into the Federal Democratic Republic and also redefined citizenship, politics and identity on ethnic grounds. The intent was to create a more prosperous, just and representative state for all its people. Yet, despite continued economic growth and promised democratisation, there is growing discontent with the EPRDF’s ethnically defined state and rigid grip on power and fears of continued interethnic conflict. The international community should take Ethiopia’s governance problems much more seriously and adopt a more principled position towards the government. Without genuine multi-party democracy, the tensions and pressures in Ethiopia’s polities will only grow, greatly increasing the possibility of a violent eruption that would destabilise the country and region. ( Read More)
Ethiopia: Human rights violations and conflicts continue to cause displacement
For decades, Ethiopia has been affected by famine and conflict. In 2009, there have been various reports of internal displacement resulting from conflicts and human rights viola-tions perpetrated by the army and groups opposed to the government. It is difficult to estab-lish the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) as neither the government nor any international organisation has undertaken a profiling exercise. The access of humanitarian and human rights organisations and the media to some areas of the country has been re-stricted.
The ongoing conflicts in Somali Region between the army and the Ogaden National Libera-tion Front, and in the south and south-west of the country with the Oromo Liberation Front, both pose serious security, humanitarian and protection challenges. The impact on civilians of the conflict in Somali Region has been likened to that of Darfur. Meanwhile, there are also conflicts in at least five of the country’s nine regions with causes ranging from compe-tition over scarce water and pasture resources to disputes over administrative boundaries. In February 2009 alone, some 160,000 people were driven from their homes by conflict be-tween the Garre of the Somali region and the Boran of the Oromiya region over a contested piece of land.
Displacement in Ethiopia is well documented but there is no evidence of durable solutions for IDPs. There is no agency or ministry mandated to respond to issues of forced internal displacement. Even though Ethiopia is actively involved in the drafting of the African Union convention on internally displaced people, there is growing evidence to suggest that con-flicts in the country have far-reaching implications for protection and humanitarian assis-tance for internally displaced people. In a context of widespread impunity, no-one sanctioning violence that leads to displacement has been prosecuted.
The absence of political efforts to resolve internal conflicts and the continuing border dis-pute with Eritrea presents an ongoing serious risk of renewed conflict and displacement in the Horn of Africa. If the government does not improve humanitarian access, affected IDPs and other vulnerable people will continue to face a protection and humanitarian crisis (Read More)
We demand justice for Makhtal Beshir
A number of media sources reported today, August 3, 2009, that a court in Addis Ababa , Ethiopia sentenced the Ethiopian born Canadian, Mr. Makhtal Beshir to life imprisonment for his alleged leadership role in the outlawed group Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF). Read More
Please refer to "The Toronto Star"( Lawsuit challenges aid to Ethiopia ) link below for further information related to this case.
Lawsuit challenges aid to Ethiopia
...A lawsuit against the Canadian government filed yesterday in federal court argues that Canada is breaking the law by providing financial aid to Ethiopia. Read more
For your further information, you may Click here and Listen to CBC radio interview
ENPCP Letter to The President of the United States
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Mr. President,
We, the undersigned, represent the collaborative effort of rights based civil society organizations and individuals of Ethiopian origin, living in North America, Africa, and Europe under an umbrella group called the Ethiopian National Priorities Consultative Process ENPCP. This fledgling effort, launched two years ago, has been initiated by a burning desire to promote a fresh grass-root democratic movement that can help ensure the protection of Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law in Ethiopia. The first inaugural public activity of the ENPCP took place successfully on 2
nd July 2009 in Chicago with a daylong Symposium as a preparatory effort for holding a National Convention by early 2010... Read More
We, members of the Ethiopian National Priorities Consultative Process (ENPCP) comprising civic society organizations and individuals, after having met in Chicago on 2nd July 2009, after having conducted serious deliberations on the basis of ENPCP’s fundamental principles, and: ( Read more )
African Union refuses to cooperate with Bashir arrest warrant 6 July 2009 The African Union (AU) has refused to cooperate with a war crimes arrest warrant against Sudan President Omar al-Bashir. Amnesty International has described the AU's decision not to acknowledge the warrant, which was issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March, as an insult to victims of human rights violations in Darfur. (Read More)
Proposed Counterterrorism Legislation Violates Human Rights
June 30, 2009 (Nairobi) - Ethiopia's draft counterterrorism law could punish political speech and peaceful protest as terrorist acts and encourage unfair trials if enacted, Human Rights Watch said today. The government and members of parliament should amend the draft law, which may otherwise be imminently passed as-is by parliament, to meet international human rights standards, Human Rights Watch said. (Read the full text)
Ex-UN chief Kofi Annan tells Kenya to set up a poll violence tribunal by August or he will hand a list of suspects to the ICC. (read more)
Amnesty InternationalREPORT 2009 The State of the World's Human Rights Amnesty International is calling for a New Global Deal on human rights, because of a human rights investment gap by world leaders. "It's not just the economy, it's a human rights crisis – the world is sitting on a social, political and economic time bomb," said Irene Khan.
Ethiopia
Restrictions on humanitarian assistance to the Somali Region (known as the Ogaden) continued. The government engaged in sporadic armed conflict against the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and both forces perpetrated human rights abuses against civilians. Ethiopian troops fighting insurgents in Somalia in support of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) committed human rights abuses and were reported to have committed war crimes. Security forces arrested members of the Oromo ethnic group in Addis Ababa and in the Oromo Region towards the end of the year. Independent journalists continued to face harassment and arrest. A number of political prisoners were believed to remain in detention and opposition party leader Birtukan Mideksa, who was pardoned in 2007, was rearrested. A draft law restricting the activities of Ethiopian and international organizations working on human rights was expected to be passed by parliament in 2009. Ethiopia remained one of the world’s poorest countries with some 6.4 million people suffering acute food insecurity, including 1.9 million in the Somali Region.(Read more)
Press Release The Launching of the Ethiopian National Priorities Consultative Process (ENPCP) 5th May 2009
This first communiqué announces the launching of the Ethiopian National Priorities Consultative Process (ENPCP.) We are freely associated, non-partisan, non-profit civil society organizations (CSOs,) and individuals, that have been deliberating for over a year, with the initiative and support of the Ethiopian National Congress (ENC,) in order to forge genuine partnership, and unity of purpose and action...
Sustained resistance by Ethiopians from all walks of life against oppression and division has not produced the desired outcome of freedom and democracy, largely due to an unresponsive government but also from lack of unity amongst political and civic leaders that spearheaded the struggle…. (Read More)
The Candian Governement Shares SOCEPP-CANADA's Concern “Human Rights, the right to due process and democracy are key Canadian values and the Government of Canada will continue to encourage the Government of Ethiopia in this regard. Canadian officials in Addis Ababa are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to use appropriate forums to engage with the Government of Ethiopia on this issue.” (to read more, click on the line below)
SOCEPP-Canada is deeply concerned about the detention of 35 individuals in Addis Ababa under the pretext of coup plot April 27, 2009The regime says the people arrested in April 25, 2009 raids fall into two groups: some were soldiers and others civil servants. It also claims that weapons had been found, including land mines, as well as military uniforms and copies of the group’s future plans,.Reports coming out of Ethiopia indicate that those arrested included an army general,Teferra Mamo and a civilian Melaku Tefera, an organizer for the opposition Unity for Democracy and Justice Party who was reportedly among the kinijit leaders arrested following the rigged 2005 election. Additionally, it is reported that the accused included relatives of the exiled leaders of Ginbot 7, Dr Berhanu Nega as well as the 80-years old father of Andargachew Tsige. (To read more click on the next line)
Advocates of justice around the world are thrilled at the strong action the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has taken in issuing a warrant for the arrest of Omar al-Bashir of the Sudan, resulting in finally holding him accountable for the atrocities being committed in Darfur over the last six years. Under al-Bashir’s leadership, millions of Sudanese from Darfur, as well as from Southern Sudan, have suffered inconceivable harm, injustice and hardship.
The action that the International Criminal Court has taken in this situation has restored hope to peace and justice loving people, affirming that international human rights law not only exists on paper, but in reality. It also sends an important message to perpetrators throughout the world that impunity for their crimes is not assured forever; which may be a primary reason that one of the first leaders to defend Omar al-Bashir and condemn the warrant was Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia, whose government has also been implicated in a pattern of widespread perpetration of serious human rights atrocities in Ethiopia and in Somalia. He and those within his government may be keenly aware of their own vulnerability to similar actions by the ICC in the future that could upend a deeply entrenched system of government-supported impunity that has protected perpetrators from any accountability. (read more)
Lawsuit challenges aid to Ethiopia ...But now comes an inventive court challenge that lawyers for Bashir Makhtal hope will pack a financial punch and lead to the Canadian's release from Ethiopia.
A lawsuit against the Canadian government filed yesterday in federal court argues that Canada is breaking the law by providing financial aid to Ethiopia.
"Official government development aid shall only be provided to countries if the aid `is consistent with international human rights standards,'" the claim alleges, quoting from a new law that came into effect in June... (Read more)
eles included in the 2009 World’s Worst Dictators list
Posted 23rd March 2009
By David Wallechinsky
No16 World’s Worst DictatorEthiopia
Age:53 In power since:1991 Last year’s rank:15
A former guerrilla leader, Meles shows no signs of sharing power with anyone. In January, his government passed a law forbidding any NGO that receives more than 10% of its budget from abroad from doing human rights work in Ethiopia. Despite Meles’ excesses, the U.S. considers him an important regional ally and continues to train his military.
No16 World’s Worst DictatorEthiopia