London celebrates anniversary of historic May election

Press Release

May 18, 2006

Ethiopians in London are one of the most ardent campaigners for the reign of democracy and justice

The hope of millions was dashed as the Woyane regime refused to accept its defeat at the polls and tried desperately to turn the clock back on the democratisation process in order to maintain its undemocratic grip on society and the state. According to the views of many independent observers, the Ethiopian people and the opposition, at best the election was marred with serious irregularities and at worst it was rigged.

The leaders of the main opposition party, elected parliamentarians, leaders of civil society, human right activists and members of the free press have been thrown to jail on trumped up preposterous charges ranging from emulating European coup to genocide – making a mockery of democracy. During the last one year, Ethiopia has been sliding from an emerging African democracy to a typical dictatorship, all under the watchful eyes of the international community, which has been dithering to take a firm stand against tyranny.

However, the dictator woyane regime could not contain the wave of democratic change and Ethiopians are putting all forms of resistance at home while it has been rattled by the relentless effort of those living abroad. The progress of H.R. 4423 – Ethiopian Consolidation Act 2005 to the Senate, the financial and diplomatic pressure from the European Community and the campaign to make the world aware of the tyranny and repressions in Ethiopian are some of the cases in point. It is against this backdrop to the political situation that most Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia are celebrating the first anniversary of the popular election that is some times referred to as Ethiopian democracy day all over the world.

The event was organised by the supporters of Kinijit and other political organisation in opposition, together with supporters of civic and community organizations, and was held at the Grand Porchester Hall in west London. This was an event unlike any other where Ethiopians and friend of Ethiopia came from every corner of the UK and beyond to express their solidarity with the movement for freedom and democracy in Ethiopia, and discuss topical issues with speakers known for their knowledge and contribution in national and international forums.

Speakers at the meeting include:

• The Honourable Ana Gomez; Head of the European Union’s Observer Mission to the parliamentary elections in Ethiopia held on 15 May 2005;
• Dr. Martin Hill; Senior Researcher of Amnesty International UK;
• Mr. Steve Sinnott; Leader of the National Union of Teachers in the UK;
• Mrs. Nathalie Margiotta (Addis Ferenji) the famous Ex-blogger from Addis;
• Mr. Obang. Metho; Director of International Advocacy for Anuak Justice Council (AJC);
• Dr. Gidey Assefa; Chairman of Tigrai Solidarity for peace and Democracy; and
• Ato Andargachew Tsege; Executive member of the Council of CUD

Dr M Hill was the first speaker of the event. He spoke briefly about the Amnesty International Report of May 2006, which comprehensively demonstrates the gross human rights violations exercised by the regime in power and the dark cloud of repression hanging over Ethiopia. In a case that has outraged Amnesty International and Human Rights groups, 75 leaders of the CUD, journalist and civil society activists are charged with treason, inciting violence and attempting to commit genocide.

In its report Amnesty International called for the immediate and unconditional release of the above who are “prisoners of conscience who have not have used or advocated violence and the genocide charge is absurd and not sustainable”. Dr. Hill confirmed that the Ethiopian government has accused Amnesty International for undermining the government and its institutions. However, Amnesty International believes that it is the Ethiopian government that has grossly undermined human rights in the country and the report is an indictment of the democratization process, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.

Dr Hill paid tribute to the strong will of the Ethiopian people and expressed that Amnesty International will always be on their side before leaving the hall for Strasbourg for the European Commission Secession on the Political crisis in Ethiopia to be held in on 15 May 2006.

Then it was the turn of Ato Andargachew Tsege, who spoke how the election of May 2005 has been a watershed in Ethiopian history when politics stopped being the pre occupation of the intellectual elite, and the call for freedom and democracy have galvanized the nation. However, he added that the election suffered a massive fraud and failed to meet not only internationally recognised standards but also the democratic aspirations of the people of Ethiopia. Ato Andargachew concluded by calling up on those gathered, with the spirit of hope engendered by May 2005, to link hands and unite against tyranny.

As Mrs. Ana Gomez was introduced to the audience the hall erupted with standing ovation. Whistles and cheering noises filled the atmosphere as an indication of how much she has touched the hearts and minds of those who are gathered here and millions of Ethiopians at home. Mrs. Ana Gomez has actually been given an Ethiopian name - “Hanna Gobez” – meaning: “Hanna the Brave”, for her stand on the side of the millions of voiceless Ethiopians and for being their voice despite the campaign of character assassination from the disgraceful and belligerent Meles Zenawi. Mrs. Gomez started by thanking the audience and that she is honoured to speak on the anniversary of Ethiopian Election Day, 15 May 2005, a day she will never forget for the rest of her life. She reiterated it was a day her faith in democracy was renewed by the extraordinary commitment of the Ethiopian people despite the elements from mother nature and the tyrannical regime of Meles Zenawi.

Drawing on her personal experience of fighting the dictatorship in Portugal in the 1970’s Mrs Gomez concluded by advising those gathered that she understands that thing may appear depressingly gloomy for the moment but she had no doubt that Ethiopia will succeed and triumph provided that we stand united.

She ended her speech with a promise not to abandon Ethiopians in their struggle for democracy and justice with “Long Live Ethiopia”. The crowd erupted with applaud and a standing ovation lasting a few minutes as a gratitude for all she has done so far and for promising not to abandon the millions of Ethiopian who queued for up to 12 hours to exercise their democratic right but had their vote stolen.

The next speaker, Mr S. Sinnott, who have campaigned closely with the Ethiopian Teachers Association for human rights and the rule of law expressed his immense disappointment on reports that trade unionists are not allowed to associate freely and are charged with attempting to dismantle the constitution. He believes that Ethiopians and their trade union leaders are people of strong will who will not be intimidated by the punitive action of Meles’s regime and will continue their struggle for a free society.

The next speaker was Dr G. Assefa who called the need to work together in order to save our country from the imminent danger of breaking apart if Meles is allowed to continue with his ethnic based politics. He exposed to the audience the nature of the TPLF regime from its inception as a Stalinist organisation which does not represent the Ethiopian people but Meles and his cronies, who are bent to stay in power at any cost while the rest of the country is sitting on a ticking time bomb of disintegration.

Mr O. Metho of the Anuak Justice Council also gave an account of the various atrocities committed by the woyane regime that took place in different parts of Ethiopia and especially the massacre of the Anuak people, and emphasized the need to unite and stand together against tyranny quoting the Bible that divided people will not reach their dream land but perish.

Mrs. Nathalie Margiotta, the famous Addis Ferenje blogger, who has been known for reporting the gruesome details of the atrocities committed by the woyane regime, pre and post election of 15 May 2005, shared with the audience her testimony to be delivered to the meeting of the Special Secession of the European Commission on Ethiopia to be held at Strasbourg on 15 May 2006. Mrs. Margiotta is still puzzled as to why the international community who saw those atrocities on daily basis are not putting enough pressure on the regime to be accountable, and as a European citizen she will ask the European parliament to investigate the June and November 2005 massacres, and impose strong and targeted sanctions on Meles and his cronies.

In his concluding remarks Ato. Getachew reiterated the message of the speakers – Unite and Rise! He called up on those gathered for the celebration, not to let evil triumph over Ethiopia, to leave our petty differences aside and unite to liberate our country from the tyrannical regime, not to leave the task of instituting democracy for the coming generations or to the benevolence of foreign leaders. He reminded those gathered not to underestimate our individual and collective contribution to the cause of Ethiopia – freedom and democracy. It was an occasion where attendants of the event renewed their vows and commitment, sharpen their resolve and focus, to push forward the wind of change for peace and democracy.

One People! One Nation! One Ethiopia!
Long Live Ethiopia!