Press Statement
The Coalition for Unity & Democracy (Kinijit)
June 12, 2007

June 11, 2007 once again marks another episode, in a series of excessive lawlessness and brutality that had been the order of the day in Ethiopia, ever since the domination of the nation by the illegitimate regime of Meles Zenawi.

It is on this day that the judiciary, known for being infested by the puppets of the brutal regime, handed down its guilty verdict on the democratically elected and popularly cherished heroes of the nation. These heroes of the Ethiopian democratic movement have genuinely and tirelessly charted a course that would have made repression and lawlessness on the one hand, disease, hunger, and poverty on the other, a thing of the past in our beloved Motherland.

The infamous verdict is intended to dehumanize the Ethiopian people, and crush the spirit of our heroes by ultimately sentencing them to life imprisonment or death. It is also designed to deal a crushing defeat to the democratic aspiration of the Ethiopian people and by extension respect for human rights and the rule of law.

A glimpse at today’s court drama clearly manifests that there were too many flaws in the handing down of the verdict which, as a matter of fact, has always been part and parcel of the administration of justice of the regime in general. Obviously, the ‘defendants’ had been deliberately denied access to relevant pieces of evidence and information to adequately pursue their defense. Further more, on the pretext of a ten minutes recess, which apparently lasted two hours, it is evident that the so called judges were actually receiving their final instructions by top officials of the executive branch, which is contrary to all norms of the practice of legal principles.

Today’s ill advised verdict is unprecedented in its cruelty in the long history of our nation, because it is a direct affront to the patriotism, dignity, freedom and identity of the Ethiopian people. It is a slick shot targeted against the Ethiopian people for the sole purpose of humiliating and suppressing our spirit of freedom which we have long espoused. Hence, this verdict has to be vehemently condemned by Ethiopians at home and abroad, and by all peace loving people of the world.

It is crystal clear that the days of the brutal regime of Meles Zenawi and his hunch men are numbered. The frustration and irresponsible acts of the court is a demonstration of their desperation. We, Ethiopians, are now, more than ever, united with the common purpose to say enough is enough. For the well being of our age old pride, the survival of our beloved nation, and for the good of the international community, the regime of Meles Zenawi has to be reminded, in no uncertain terms, that he can not keep on plundering the resources of the country and hoodwinking the international community with his duplicitous politics.

Finally, we, members and supporters of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party /CUDP/ would like to emphasize to the international community that the vision and spirit that has sustained and energized our heroic leaders would also further ignite our patriotism. Their moral strength, while they languish in the treacherous acts of brutality would only fuel our determination and sacrifices; so that we can move forward with renewed vigor to fulfill the historic tasks that the struggle for democracy requires.