Under TPLF/EPRDF regime, democratic and human rights have been fiercely suppressed, attacked and in most instances, curtailed all together. Opinions, expressions, critics and different views contrary to that of the regime have been considered as a threat to the rule and power of the TPLF/EPRDF led regime.

As long as they remained critical to the policies and actions of the regime, they are labeled as the work of the enemy. The TPLF/EPRDF led regime has been always uncomfortable with any kind of exercise, that is, the right to exercise freedom of speech, the right to assemble freely, the right to organize independently etc... Those who have tried to exercise their rights have been languishing in prisons. Many have been detained in the past, fined, disappeared and even murdered in broad daylight. Assefa Maru, Tesfaye Mekonnen and others who have paid the highest sacrifice are still fresh in the mind of their families and all Ethiopians. The disappearance of the leaders of EPRP Tsegaye G/medhin, Yesehak Debresion, Belette Amha, Sitotaw Hassen, Aberash Beretta and the murder of Gebreegzabher Gebremedhin was also another brutal act of the regime. Ato Abera Yemaneab, Fetawrari Mekonen Dori and many others have been the victims of this treacherous act. To date, other prisoners of conscience in thousands are still languishing in the worst type of prisons.

As usual, the TPLF/EPRDF led regime continues its heavy handedness and suppression to democratic and human rights. Whenever the struggle steps ahead to challenge the regime, gathers momentum and consolidates itself in every corner of the society, the regime is undoubtedly disturbed.

Consequently, this intransigent regime continues its suppression and other brutal acts against the free press In its eleven years of existence, the Ethiopian Free Journalists Association has been one of the regimes staunch critic and voice of independent Ethiopian Journalists. The Ethiopian people know that EFJA is the only viable source of information in the country that delivers an independent and non-biased report to the Ethiopian public and to the outside world. Up until this desperate suspension of its license by the regime, the association has been serving as a trusted medium to those voices, views, and critics to the polices and brutal acts of the regime. The association, like other many entities, movements, voices and alternatives has been the headache of the regime and was the target to be put out of business by any means. The last eleven years have never been easy for the association. It has sacrificed and paid a lot as it has contributed tremendously to the struggle.

EPRP once again would like to assert that as long as the TPLF/EPRDF regime stays in power, the well being of our people, the integrity of the country, and the question of democracy would always be in danger. EPRP also believes that the more the people struggle is unified, the more suppression and brutal act will continue. The recent license suspension of the Ethiopian Free Journalist Association is nothing else than the continued brutal effort of the curtailment of the democratic rights of our people by TPLF/EPRDF led regime. EPRP condemns this undemocratic act of the TPLF/EPRDF regime and calls for the immediate and unconditional lifting of the ban of the EFJA license. EPRP would also like to call on all democratic and humanitarian organizations both at home and abroad to show their solidarity with EFJA and to condemn the decision to ban the association by this dictatorial regime of EPRDF.

THE DEMOCRATIC STRUGGLE SHALL CONTINUE!
The Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Party (EPRP)