ENC Press Release on the release of Prisoners of Conscience
The unconditional release of the high profile prisoners of conscience on 20 July 2007 is a major step towards the attainment of the popular desire for justice, democracy, the rule and due process the law, and human and individual rights.
Congratulations are due to the individuals who are free, and of course, to their families friends and supporters, both in Ethiopia and in the diaspora. We owe particular words of appreciation and gratitude to the Ethiopian elders who worked hard to create the spirit of dialogue. The release of the leaders has raised hopes for the ten thousand or more others who are still behind bars just because they stood for their principles, for justice, for democracy and for the rule of law.
To the majority of Ethiopians, the release of the political leaders signals quite a range of victories. It signals success to the Ethiopians who resisted both the subtle and open pressures in all walks of life to denounce their leaders and their principles. It signals their fortitude of mind, an unending dignity, an undeniable power of unified activism and the beginnings of a reward for all. The victory of this Ethiopian spirit heralds the concern for the welfare of its people and the promotion of Ethiopian national interests, its unity, its diversity, and its territorial integrity. Yet, no one is going to rest on their laurels until they secure the freedom of the tens of thousands of the unjustly imprisoned, and the justness of their ever-persistent quest for democracy, the rule of law and justice is recognized.
The august national elders who worked hard to secure the release of the leaders, must consolidate their work by working further on national reconciliation and international security. They should explore ways of engaging the government with the popular leaders over national reconciliation. They may persuade the government to consummate its conciliatory gesture by releasing the more than ten thousand political prisoners, the two aid workers and the remaining journalists.
Of course, national reconciliation is a two way process and the public needs to articulate and impart our concerns independently. Those who cherish the Ethiopian spirit must consolidate their victories by working to liberate the whole nation from the internal pressures of division and the external threats of possibly hostile neighbors in the region of North East Africa. Ethiopian political groupings, community groups, churches traditional self-help groups, civil and professional associations, and other groups and interested individuals must be involved in furthering the work on reconciliation. The ENC calls for the unity of purpose of Ethiopians in Africa, Europe, the Americas, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Working towards the unity of purpose empowers all in terms of sharing resources, a variety of skills, ways of thought and critical mass. An engagement of civil society groups with each other should at least articulate our national reconciliation agenda, if not all the other directions of our national interests. A public voice that is untied at such a platform adds up to a formidable power.
By unity of purpose the ENC means jointly articulating our major issues, synchronizing our voices and strategizing our timely moves in a persistent manner. Let us not be overtaken by events time and again and face frustrations by narrower interests. Let us move together immediately and set the agenda that reflects the Ethiopian spirit.
The Ethiopian National Congress
Ethiopiannationalcongress.org