The Following is an excerpt of sveral questions asked by Concerned Ethiopian Students that was addressed to PM Meles. Bellow is the open letter addresses to the Dictator in Ethiopia. To Read All the interesting questions CLICK HERE. (You might need a Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word 2007 File Format, which you can download HERE)

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"You claim to be guided by “the principle of self-determination. “ Why did you then annex by force of arms Raya, Azebo, Alamata and Ofla from Wollo Province, and Humera, Wolkait, and Tsegede from Gondar Province, which have never been part of Tigrai, and evicted the natives and settled some 700,000 Tigrean farmers and soldiers on their land? Why are hundreds of them languishing in dungeons in Tigrai? Why is land which belongs to Ethiopia being constantly transferred to the Sudan? It is estimated that over the last sixteen years, some $3 billion worth of agricultural produce has been marketed from these regions and pocketed by your friends and TPLF business concerns. The people of Gondar Province, for instance, are exploring the possibilities of taking the case to court. They not only want the release of all those whom you still keep in prison, and the return of their land, but also the retroactive payment of some $3 billion as compensation for what they have lost from their farms. Could you comment?"

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January 31, 2008

When governments fear the people, there is liberty.
But when the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
Thomas Jefferson.

H.E. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi,
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Dear Mr. Prime Minister:

It is often said that in a situation where there are no checks and balances, transparency and accountability, or an enlightened free press and civil society, those who hold power cannot wield it without instilling tyranny, or master corruption without being corrupted.

We have heard very many conflicting views about your government. As a result, we, a group of Ethiopian students in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Ethiopia who have no reason to fear your government, want to give you the benefit of the doubt. In that context, we have formulated the following series of questions for your consideration. We are also inviting Ethiopian civil society groups and discussion forums to study the questions. Your Excellency can be assured that your response to them will stimulate more discussion and research to the good of the country and your government. It is in this spirit that we took the initiative to forward the questions. Since we live in a globalized village, we have also sent copies of the questions to certain governments and international organizations of our interest.

Sincerely,

On behalf of the students,
Tadessese Abbebe ,
[ethiopianstudents@gmail.com ]

Cc:
Dr Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State;
Representative Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House;
Senator Joe Biden, Chair, Foreign Relations Committee;
Representative Tom Lantos, Chair, House Committee on International Relations;
Representative Donald Payne, Chairman, House Sub-committee on Africa;
Representative Chris Smith, U.S. House of Representatives;
Senator Russ Feingold, Chair, Sub-committee on African Affairs;
Ambassador Donald Yamamoto;
Javier Solana, Secretary General of the Council of the European Union;
Alpha Oumar Konare, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union;
Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Wishing a Happy Holiday Season to You, Your Family, and to All Ethiopians All Over the World!

Please check out this piece from our esteemed sister and poet Lemlem Tsegaw. Thanks for sharing Lemlem!

Unlike Ethiopian Refugees...

Unlike Ethiopian refuges
Elephants, Giraffes
And other animals
Are protected
From random killers
By Kenyan laws
Funded by Europeans

Unlike Ethiopian refuges
These animals are free
To room all over
Cross boarders
Any where
Among African countries

How is it
Kenyans chose
To gun dawn
Ethiopian children on daylight
Who have no where to go
But be temporary guests
Don’t the refuges
Merit equal right
To those animals
In the eye of Kenyans

** Lemlem Tsegaw, November 7, 2007, Dedicated to all “Ethiopian … killed and wounded in Kenya” per EthioMedia, November 5, 2007

Click here to read the poem in Amharic

The Detention of Atanaw Wasie...

On 27 September, the Sudanese authorities forcibly returned 15 recognized refugees to Ethiopia, handing them over at the Ethiopia-Sudan border. Their whereabouts are now unknown and Amnesty International believes they are at risk of enforced disappearance, arbitrary and incommunicado detention, torture and unfair trials.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced on 11 October that the 15 had been part of a group of more than 30 Ethiopian refugees arrested in early July 2007 by Sudanese intelligence officers in Khartoum and Blue Nile state.

Among the 15 was Atanaw Wasie, who has chronic asthma for which he needs medical treatment. He was a leader of the Ethiopian Democratic Union (EDU) political party, which opposed the Dergue government thatwas overthrown in 1991, but is no longer active. He was arrested on 7July 2007 in the eastern town of Gedaref and held incommunicado.

Others who were returned and detained are reported to be alleged members of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), which is fighting the Ethiopian security forces in the Oromia Region. Several thousand members of the Oromo ethnic group have been arbitrarily detained and tortured in Ethiopia in recent years. Read more here...

Also see:
SUDAN: Forcible return/Fear of torture/Arbitrary detention of several hundred Ethiopian and Eritrean nationals

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What is the Population Size of Wolqait-Tegede?

The above table shows a partial population statistics by sex for "Kafta Humera," Welqait, and Tegede from 2004 to 2005. You can see the full statistics here

My questions in regards to these numbers are:

1. If these numbers accurately reflect the population size on the ground?
2. If these numbers show the population size of the native inhabitants only or if they include the settlers (Tigrayans) too?

I don't have any other (independent) statistics to question the numbers. However, from what friends and close relatives who have visited the areas in recent years, the population on the ground is perhaps maybe two or three times of what is being reported by the Central Statistical Agency.

It is estimated that the population size of the native inhabitants is around 300,000. In recent times, particularly since the annexation of this areas into Tigray has caused a major influx of new Tigrayan settlers that have overwhelmed the local population. Some say that more than 300,000 Tigrayans have settled in Wolqait-Tegede (more than 1 tgrayan for every 1 native inhabitant). Most of these Tigrayans have taken over the fertile low-land agricultural farm lands in and around Humera and the native inhabitants have been forced to resettle in the highlands where farmlands are infertile.

There is fear on some parts of the native community leaders and elders of the local inhabitants that this massive influx of Tigrayan settlers is diluting the unique linguistic heritage and sense of identity of the native inhabitants. This is in addition of the economic burden that have been levied against the locals. Moreover, the population increase has a significant environmental damage that has reached a breaking point. Many of native plants and wildlife are in brink of extinction.

***Also notice that the population has increased by only 6,607 from 2004 to 2005. How is it possible for a population of that size to increase only by 6,000? I wonder if the Chinese 1 child policy has been instituted in those areas!

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Petition to the Sudanese Gov't...

To: Sudan Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Mohammed Ali Almardi

Ministry of Justice

PO BOX 744

Khartoum

Fax: + 249 183 78 07 96

October 23, 2007

Dear Minister of Justice and Attorney General Mr. Mohammed Ali Almardi:

Please Stop Detaining and Deporting Ethiopian Refugees!

First and foremost, we, the undersigned, would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and appreciation of the Sudanese people and government for their kindness and hospitality to Ethiopian refugees over the years since the ascendancy to power of the dictatorial military regime in Ethiopia. People living along the border of both countries have lived in peace and exemplary neighbourliness for generations. However, the last few years have seen a growing collaboration between the governments of the two countries, often to the detriment of the interests of the Ethiopian people and to freedom and justice, especially with regard to Ethiopian refugees. Reliable news coming out of Sudan reveals constant harassment, imprisonment and deportation of Ethiopian refugees.

In the beginning of July, over 30 Ethiopians were arrested by the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security Service. On September 27, at least 15 of them were handed over by Sudanese officials to Ethiopian authorities in violation of the principle of non-refoulement. As Your Excellency knows, this principle is the cornerstone of the 1951 Refugee Convention in which refugees will not be sent back to a country where their life or freedom would be at risk. A similar deportation that took place early in August 2007 aroused the complaint of the UNHCR to your government, but to no avail. The whereabouts of the deportees is not yet officially known and they may be subjected to physical and psychological torture under extremely inhumane prison conditions in their native country. The remaining group of Ethiopian refugees in detention in Sudan will also face the same risk of deportation and the same tragic fate awaits them in Ethiopia. As a contracting party of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention and as a member of the UN Human Rights Commission, your government is committing a breach of its obligations under international law. Confident that you will do everything in your power to save the lives of the victims and their families:

• We, the undersigned, humbly appeal to you to use your position as Minister of Justice and Attorney General to take action and bring an end to the involuntary repatriation of Ethiopian refugees.

• We call upon the Sudanese government to cease arbitrary detainment of innocent Ethiopian refugees and release those in jail without delay.

• We request that you use your good offices to urge the Ethiopian government to account for the whereabouts of the deportees, who might be subjected to extreme ill-treatment and torture.
  

Sincerely,

Click here to sign the petition

Sudan Illegally Deported 15 Ethiopian Refugees

Click on the image above to read and listen German Radio Amharic Report on the deported prisoners.

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....We have now received reliable information that on September 27, 2007 the Sudanese Government handed over the 15 Ethiopian political refugees suspected of being members/supporters of the said armed groups allegedly sponsored by Eritrea. Our sources have also confirmed that the deportees are being held in the notorious MAKELAWI (Central) Prison located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Among the deportees is the elderly - Atanaw Wasse, who was also highlighted in our August 7, 2007 letter to you.

SOCEPP Canada is gravely concerned about the welfare and security of the repatriates who may have already been subjected to inhumane treatment in this notorious prison. We sincerely believe that this action of the Sudanese Authorities constitutes a flagrant violation of the Geneva Convention on Refugees and the UN Declaration of Human Rights for which the Sudanese government must be held responsible. We are also deeply concerned and disturbed by the fact that your good offices failed to intervene to save these refugees from this unfortunate incidence of involuntary repatriation without any guarantee of safety in place. We anticipated that our appeal would have alerted the international community to take proper steps as to provide the necessary protection to these refugees. Read more.....

More News reports on this matter...
** Amharic Report from Khartoum, Sudan
** SOCEPP Press Release
** UNHCR Report on the deportation

Historical Facts and Personal Accounts of Ethio-Sudan Border

This insightful article by Ato Solomon Getaneh provides an interesting perspective on the Ethiopian and Sudanese border along Gondar (Quara and Humera). The author of the article sites historical facts and personal accounts of local farmers and community elders from the region.

Read the article here

Happy New Ethiopian Millenium!

Wishing you and your family the Happiest New Ethiopian Millenium! May the coming new millenium be a millenium of peace, unity, democracy and unity to our beloved Ethiopia!

Happy New Year!

Gondar

Gross Human Rights Abuses Against Ethiopina Civilians

The Ethiopian American Civic Advocacy (EACA) calls upon the international community to demand for the immediate halt to the atrocious and gross human rights abuses taking place against Ethiopian civilians in the Ogaden by the Ethiopian authoritarian regime.

Click here for the press release

Resolution of Ethiopians in Ohio

To read the resolution passed by Ethiopians in Ohio on the August 18, 2007 meeting in Columbus, Ohio please click here (amharic, pdf). Also, you can read an earlier statement on the issue.

Woyane’s Mission of Manipulating Ethiopians of Wolqait and Tegede Origin Failed Miserably

Two TPLF officials who called for a meeting on August 18, 2007 in Columbus, OH failed to reach their goal of dividing the people of Wolqait and Tegede. After an hour or so of diatribe and exaggerated statistical report on developments on the region, the participants took the advantage to maneuver the attention to the most dire and urgent issues of freedom and democracy in their homeland.

Almost all the participants including those who support the TPLF repeatedly expressed their dismay at the officials who tried to ignore the human rights and freedom concerns of Wolqait Tegede people. The participants expressed their opposition to article 39 and the demarcation of their homeland with Tigray on the basis of language and demanded their lands to be reunited with Gonder. The participants also stressed that the most urgent issue for the people of Wolqait-Tegede as it is for the rest of Ethiopia is the respect of human rights and democratization and that they will not blindly fall into the TPLF trap of “investment” and “development” designed stifle individual rights and hold the people hostage to their oppressive policies of divide and rule.

The participants demanded the release of their countrymen languishing under the TPLF concentration camps. Moreover, they reminded the TPLF to immediately stop from giving away lands that rightly belong to Ethiopia to the Sudan.

The officials (Ferede Yeshiwondim, Administrator of Wolqait and Tsegaye Asimamaw. Tigray Security Representative) denied and dodged many of the questions and concerns raised by the participants. Also, in many cases they blatantly lied to the face of the participants on the current condition of the region and attempted to paint everything as peaceful, stable and that there are no problems or prisoners.

Even though the meeting organizers attempted to give more time and opportunity to their supporters and shut down the dissenting voices, the brave Ethiopians used the advantage to forward their opinions. To the surprise of the dissenting Ethiopians and even to the officials many of their supporters expressed their opposition to what TPLF is doing to the people of Wolqait and Tegede. As such, the people of the region who previously were at odds in previous times came out stronger and united than ever to expose TPLF’s atrocities committed against the people of Wolqait and Tegede. Other than presenting their boring statistical report the officials failed to divert the people’s attention.

A press statement and other supporting documents from the community organizers of the dissenting Ethiopians will shortly be released to the public.

Community Organizers
August 18, 2007

Ethiopian Demand Explanation...

The characteristic peculiar to our country, which distinguishes it from other countries, is the fact that it played an exemplary role in fiercely defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity at the time when powerful foreign powers were on the rampage to subjugate most lands on the globe.

Indeed, there have been periods in our history where our country had land mass many folds more than of the present one and trade relations and influence extending into the interior of the then neighboring Nubian Empire. This glaring history has been attested by innumerous literary works of ancient and modern scholars, both foreign and local origins.

Virtually, all Ethiopian governments prior to that of the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front ( EPRDF ), although rightfully criticized for their autocratic and repressive leadership style, decidedly took preserving the unity and territorial integrity of the nation as their primary undertaking. Under their leadership, and largely because of it, our country repulsed powerful invaders such as the Ottoman Turks, Egyptians, Italians and Mahadists.

And it has now become the historical burden of this generation to carry on the great tradition of keeping the territorial integrity of the nation as the best way of commemorating the sacrifices of our forefathers. However, recent international media coverage of giving away another part of our country in the making is in circulation. read more...

• Press Release in Amharic pdf

• Also read a poem by Lemlem Tsegaw

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Update on the status of Ethiopian refuges in the Sudan

On July 20, 2007 SOCEPP Canada issued an urgent action appeal regarding the new wave of mass arrests and possible involuntary repatriation of Ethiopian refugees suspected of having affiliations with and/or support opposition political groups such as Oromo Liberation front (OLF), Ethiopian People Patriotic Front (EPPF) and others.

Following a massive protest by the international community as well as by Human rights groups from within Sudan, it now appears that some progress has been achieved. It is reported that many Ethiopian refugees who were rounded up and placed in detention are now freed with bail. It is anticipated that the remaining will be freed soon. read more...

Azeb Golla on a Mission to Divide People of Wolqait-Tegede in Ohio

Uncofirmed statements indicate that Azeb Golla, wife of Meles Zenawi along with Ferede Yeshiwondim, Head of Security for Wolqait and Tsegay Asmamaw, former TPLF parliamentarian and judge are planning a trip to the U.S. According to sources, the delegate is expected to arrive in the U.S. on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007. Though the purpose of the trip is not clearly known, some speculate that this a continuation of TPLF's plan to divide the diaspora community along ethnic and religious lines. It is to be remembered that Addisu Legese made a similar trip to the major U.S. cities including Ohio where he was humiliated by Diaspora Ethiopians.

The same handful individuals who hosted Addisu Legesse are now running up and down in preparation to host a meeting with Azeb Golla and her conscripts. Ferede Yeshiwondim is an individual who is terrorizing his own people and recently made a trip to the Sudan in an effort to identify those individuals suspected of supporting the EPPF which the arest of dozens. Azeb Golla was rejected by the people of Wolqait in her bid for election in 2005 and chose to run in Humera instead where there is a high concentration of Tigrayans.

It is despicable that these people are willing to travel thousands of miles in the name of discussing the problems of Wolqait while they have muzzled and failed to give the same opportunity to the people they claim to represent. The Wolqait people here in the Diaspora do not expect anything good to come out from the TPLF who annexed their land, displaced its people, killed and tortured thousands and kept thousands more in secret underground prisons. This same people who are working day-in and day-out to erase Wolqait identity, culture, a unique dialect, social norms and psychs expect us to believe that they would actually listen to us.

We suggest that thy should give this opportunity to the people back home, restore all their rights, return their lands and properties unconditionally, stop the illegal resettlement of Tigrayans and finally return and reunite Wolqait-Tegede and its people with it historical identity of Gonder! After that the people of Wolqait will leave with the Tigray people peacefully!

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26 Refugees Still Under Arrest in Sudan

Sources from Sudan reveal that 26 Ethiopian refugees are under arrest in Khartoum, Sudan in a prison called Kober. Two people, have been released on August 3. The sources indicated that all of the prisoners are have been question by security forces and have been treated fairly well. However, They added that they were beaten on the head during the early roundups on July 2nd.

Thanks to the effort and outcry of concerned Ethiopians in Sudan and abroad as well as the UNHCR, Amnesty International and other organizations the whereabouts of these people is known and they have been spared from being deported to the dictators in Ethiopia. It is hoped that more people will be released soon.

Read an Amharic report from Debteraw
Also previous reports
VOA Interview with Ato Wondimagegn

Remembering Aba Melakeselam Sisay Ayele

Click on the image or here to read the poem by Ato Lakew Hiruy in rememberance of Aba Melakeselam Sisay. To read the obituary in Amharic, please click here.

VOA Amharic Interview on the Case of Ethiopian Refugees in Sudan

VOA Amharic July 26, 2007 (Hamle 19/1999) Program

Voice of America's (VOA) Amharic program reporter Surafel Fantaye interviewed Ato Wondimagegn Getaneh, Deputy Chairman of Ethiopian Refugees Committee in Sudan. According to Ato Wondimagegn heavily armed Sudanese security forces conducted house to house searches beginning July 2, 2007 and arrested many Ethiopian refugees who have been granted legal refugee status. Ato Wondimagegn stated that many of the arrests took place in Khartoum with few others being in Umrakuba and Gedarif of eastern Sudan. He also told VOA that the where abouts of most of the detained is unknown and the Sudanese authorities are unwilling to disclose why and where the prisoners are being detained.

Ato Wondimagegn added that there are rumors circulating which suggest some of the prisoners being handed over to Ethiopian Authorities though there is no hard evidence to backup those claims. He also said that Ato Kenaw Dilnesaw an Ethiopian People's Patriotic Front (EPPF) member/supporter is believed to have been to Ethiopian authorities and the where abouts of Ato Achenefe Alemu also a supporter of EPPF is not known since he was detained two months ago.

Listen VOA interview with Ato Wondimagegn Getaneh

SOCEPP-CAN Urgent Action Alert

Solidarity Committee for Ethiopian Political Prisoners - Canada (SOCEPP-CAN) released the following press release regarding detained Ethiopian refugees in Sudan. Click here to read the report.

Read related articles:

• Amnesty International Report or here
• WAEER Press Release
• News Report from Sudan (Amharic)
• Christian Today News Report
• Unity for the Best of Ethiopia

Sudan: Forcible return / Fear of torture / Arbitrary detention

URGENT ACTION
Sudan: Forcible return / Fear of torture / Arbitrary detention
PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 54/038/2007 20 July 2007
UA 190/07 Forcible return/Fear of torture/Arbitrary detention

SUDAN: Several hundred Ethiopian and Eritrean nationalsHundreds of Ethiopian and Eritrean nationals have been arrested since the beginning of July, and are at risk of being forcibly returned to their countries of origin. Many of the Ethiopian and all the Eritrean nationals would be at risk of immediate arrest, torture and indefinite detention without charge or trial if forcibly returned.

In mid-July several hundred Ethiopian and Eritrean adults and children were arrested in the capital, Khartoum. At least 14 Ethiopian nationals, whose names are known to Amnesty International, had been arrested on 5 July in Khartoum and in the east of Sudan. Arrests are continuing.

Many of those detained are understood to be asylum-seekers or recognised refugees. Some are in Omdurman prison in Khartoum, but the whereabouts of most is not yet known, or has not been disclosed by the authorities. Some have been taken to court, charged with illegal entry and summarily sentenced to imprisonment or immediate deportation as illegal migrants. It is understood that no-one has access to them in custody.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Sudan is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, all of which oblige the authorities not to forcibly return any person to a country where they risk torture or other serious human rights violations.

The government has generally abided by these treaties and worked closely with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to protect the rights of both long-term refugees and new refugees from Ethiopia and Eritrea. However, this policy appears to have changed recently because of the government’s changed political relations with both the Ethiopian and the Eritrean governments. For many years Sudan had hosted and supported political opponents of both governments, some of them belonging to armed groups. The recent detentions of Ethiopians came immediately after the Ethiopian foreign minister visited Sudan in June 2007, indicating new friendlier relations with Ethiopia. A similar change appears to have been made in the Sudan government’s political relations with Eritrea.

Many of the detainees have been living in Sudan as refugees since the late 1970s, having fled from the Dergue government that was in power in Ethiopia at the time. Some were unwilling to return when the Dergue government was overthrown in 1991, and the current government of Meles Zenawi seized power in Ethiopia and Eritrea gaining independence under the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF). Some of the detainees are said to be opponents of the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in Ethiopia or President Issayas Afewerki in Eritrea, who arrived in Sudan in the 1990s or more recently to seek asylum. Thousands of Eritreans fled to Sudan in recent years to escape political repression or military conscription.

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Source: Amnesty International

Let Freedom Shine All Over Ethiopia Again

Let the freedom that shone over the CUD leaders also SHINE ALL over other Ethiopians suffering in and out of prison camps throughout Ethiopia!

MAY GOD BLESS ETHIOPIA AND ITS PEOPLE!