June 24: “State-sponsored violence against peaceful, if enthusiastic, demonstrators must be considered unacceptable in a civilized nation such as Ethiopia”
… U.S. Congress writes to Meles Zenawi
… express your appreciation to Congress
… comments
June 25: “Our patience is running out!” … Opposition leader Hailu Shawel – audio
June 24: CUD MP-elect in East Wollega (Sebu Sire), Ato Tefera Feleke, has been forced into exile as a result of harassments and persecutions. After Ato Tefera won the election for parliament in Nekemt, Wolega, EPRDF cadres cut the electricity to his house and begun to threaten him and his family with death. Ato Tefera has been forced to abandon his house in Nekemt, and is currently in hiding in Addis Ababa. Ato Tefera is willing to tell the world what he and the people of Wolega are going through, as vengeful EPRDF cadres are on a rampage terrorizing the people for electing a CUD candidate.
To interview Ato Tefera, contact ER publisher
The Meles regime released 2,665 people detained during week-long disturbances in Addis Ababa. Police said the detainees were released from federal prison in Zeway, 163km south of Addis Ababa … SA, June 24
June 23 – The pilots are still in Djibouti
June 23: The Ethiopian Civic Associations Joint Forum issued a statement today that says the government officials who are responsible for the June 8 massacre of unarmed civilians must be brought to justice. The Forum, which includes the Ethiopian Teachers Association, the Ethiopian Journalists Associations, and other civic other groups, also said the people’s vote must be respected by the ruling party, the opposition parties, the election board and the international community.
… full text in Amharic
… your comment
June 23: Thousands are at risk of torture or ill-treatment, and enforced “disappearance.”
Amnesty International Urgent Action
Irish, Swedish and American diplomats saw about 2,000 prisoners who were picked up during the violent protests that followed last month’s elections… There are reports that hundreds of prisoners were released before the diplomats were allowed access to the jail … BBC, June 23
June 22: Bole International Airport reopened after Sunday crash … Luchtzak
June 22: CUD has reacted angrily to the dropping of more than half of the investigations into alleged election fraud … BBC
June 23: Ambassador Kassahun Ayele has invited a group of selected Ethiopians for dinner and discussion on Monday, June 27 at 7 PM.
June 23: In Washington DC, the city council is due to make a decision on whether to give an official name to a part of the city commonly known as “Little Ethiopia.”
… BBC
June 22: Sleeping with the Enemy … SB
Diplomats visit Ethiopian detention camp for protesters in Ziway, 150 km south of Addis Ababa… “We visited the camp this morning to check on the conditions of the detainees. We were granted permission after requests from a number of embassies,” Don Sexton, charge d’affaires of the Irish embassy, told The Associated Press. Sexton refused to say anything about the conditions the mission saw, saying a statement on that would be issued later … AP … Reuters, June 22
Little Mintesinot Eskender strutted the streets of Ethiopia with such aplomb that he became known as the “emperor of the streets.” … AZ, June 22
June 22: The U.S. Senate introduced a bill authorizing financial support for the independent media in Ethiopia. The Senate Foreign Affairs Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007, makes the necessary money available for the private media to help “strengthen the capacity of journalists; and increase access to printing facilities by individuals who work in the print media.” The money will be distributed through USAID.
JUNE 2005 – Page 2