August 21, 2006

IMPRISONED JOURNALISTS MISTREATED BRUTALLY

SISAYE AGEGNE, the publisher of the famous and now banned ETHIOP newspaper and magazine, has been thrown into a dark, solitary confinement cell just like fellow journalist Eskinder Nega. The two were jailed along with other journalists and political leaders after the May 2005 election that led to the defeat of the EPRDF that continues in power now illegally. The regime has practically banned all of the free press and allowed the publication of newspapers controlled by it directly and otherwise.

Prison condition in Ethiopia is generally deplorable and the Kaliti prison where the journalists and political leaders are held is not one of the better ones. Solitary confinement worsens the situation. Prison guards and wardens are rude and aggressive. The condition of prisoner Andualem Arage and Muluneh Eyuel is also cited as alarming. Elder politician detainees Engineer Hailu Shawel and professor Mesfin Wolde Mariam are hospitalized already. The regime has the experience of detaining political prisoners in deplorable conditions to aggravate their health problems and to lead to their demise in hospitals to which they are taken after their conditions worsen.

SOCEPP has repeatedly called for the unconditional release of the journalist and political leaders.

SOCEPP vigorously condemns the shameful role being played by American embassy Charge d'affaires Vicky Huddleston who is trying to serve the interests of Meles Zenawi and is harassing the helpless political prisoners by pressurizing them to accept he diktat of the Meles Zenawi regime. Hands off the prisoners Madam Huddleston!

The demand is not for a fair and speedy trial-- the demand is for the prisoners' unconditional release before more tragedy happens.

INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS INJUSTICE EVERYWHERE

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