Calls on all Members, Partners and Others to Participate!
 

We, members of the Interim Task Force of Andenet Support Chapters in Europe fully endorse the upcoming “March to Stop Genocide and Dictatorship in Ethiopia/Africa in Washington D.C., scheduled for September 13, 2009 in front of the United States Capitol.  

Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia around the world have for a while now been protesting against the injustice and repression unleashed by the repressive regime of Ethiopia on its citizens. Following the controversial election of 2005 stolen by the ruling repressive regime there has been steady erosion civil and human rights as the result of deliberate action of a regime, which stands on the wrong side of history. 

Human Rights watch and other independent organisations reported on a catalogue of gross violations of human rights in Ethiopia, where thousands are incarcerated with out due process for just having different views from the ruling party, while those living outside prison gates are not allowed to exercise their universal rights of speech, assembly and to elect their leaders. Membership of the ruling party has become a condition for rights to college education and job opportunities. 

In a country with over 6 million people requiring emergency aid, food aid is being used as political instrument to starve people in need but oppose the regime in power for not respecting their basic rights, while acres of fertile land is sold to foreign highest bidders. 

On 23 March 2009, Genocide Watch wrote to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to initiate an investigation against the government of P.M. Meles Zenawi for atrocities committed in Gambela against the Anuaks and ethnic Somalis in the Ogaden. 

The recent draconian civil society law and the bill restricting the activities of charity organisation (both local and foreign) are designed to silence independent voices from reporting repressive activities of the regime and the plight of innocent citizens.

The kidnap and re-arrest of Birtukan Midekssa – Chairperson of Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (aka Andenet) on 29^th December 2008 for life imprisonment is the latest evidence of a regime which operates in an entrenched culture of impunity. 

We are outraged by the level of repressions innocent citizens had to endure under the paranoid regime in Ethiopia and call up on the free nations of the world and their leaders to stand with the Ethiopian people, condemn the act if the tyrant regime in Ethiopia and demand respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Interim Task Force of Andenet Support Chapters in Europe. 

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