July 10, 2001
Edward R. Royce
Chairman, Subcommittee on Africa
Committee on International Relations
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington DC 20515
Dear Representative Royce:
I am writing to appeal for your kind intervention on behalf of Lidetu Ayalew, the Secretary General of Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP), and over one hundred other members of the party who have been arrested since April 2001. This is on top of thousands of other political prisoners who are members of different opposition groups that believe in peaceful struggle to bring about genuine democracy in Ethiopia. Prominent among them is the President of Ethiopian Teachers Association, Dr Taye Woldesemayat, who has been in jail for the past 5 years.
Dr Taye, Ato Lidetu and most of the political prisoners are subjected to torture and inhumane prison conditions. Many of them are contracting diseases such as malaria and dying while still in jail or soon after they are released. Lidetu has already been inflicted with malaria during his 50-day detention in a jail.
Dear Congressman: I appeal for your urgent action on this matter. Please impress upon the Meles regime to release Dr Taye, Ato Lidetu and all the political prisoners in Ethiopia.
Sincerely,
Gashu Habte
Spokesperson, EDAL