To date killing, torturing and imprisoning continued in unprecedented maner.
Intentionally encouraged ethnic conflicts and as a result hundreds of thousands
of people displaceed and persecuted. Looting and corruption are rampant.
Recognising the above-mentioned facts, Genocide Watch requested an
investigation by the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights.
The international community and democratic governments arround the world
need to condemn these serious and widespread human rights violations. The
regime is currently talking about code of conduct for the May 2010 election.
However, it has continued to kill, intimidate and impreson. There are also
indications that Zenawi’s separatist army is preparing to commit further crimes
in large scale. The main reasons for today’s meeting is to create solidarity with
the victims of the Ethiopian people, to promote the EDM, to maintain the
Genocide enquiry and investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC)
for the crimes committed against humanity over the last 20 years, and also to
consider the recent Research Report warning issued in September 2009 by the
International Crisis Group (ICG) about the danger of Ethnic politics and
repression in Ethiopia.
Britain, the international community and the rest of the world need to be
prepared for any eventuality/genocide in connection with the upcoming
election. If TPLF and its henchmen continue to disrespect the international
community and the Ethiopian people it must be apparent that they will take
responsibility for all forms of sufferings and crisis in the area. We are calling for
a re-examination of the British foreign policy towards Ethiopia so that Britain
will make sure that our future relationship is intact.
Section 134 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 of U.K. authorizes the prosecution
in Britain of any person who commits an act of torture anywhere in the world.
Accordingly we British Citizens of Ethiopian origin are prepared to exercise our
citizenship rights if Zenawi wants to come to London at any time in the future.
The opportunistic TPLF used the end of the cold war to commit crimes and loot
the whole nation. The merciless and barbaric action against the innocent people
of Ethiopia should not be tolerated. Using empty rhetoric and Jargons the
corrupt racists TPLF continued its outdated ploy to divert attention from the
very issues of the Ethiopian people. Let the minority leaders and their
henchmen learn that democracy is not a tool to kill, loot and impreson people.
The Ethiopian Community in GB and other countries are part of the
international Community. As most of us still have families, friends and
communities at home of origin what is going on in Ethiopia has great
implications to British Ethiopians living in the UK. The Ethiopian Community
member abroad together with the main land have great interest in promoting
peace, justice, democratic rights and also to diminish terrorism and anti
development elements.
Ethiopians are deeply hurt and suffered by the continuous human right violation
and vandalism which includes an attack on the country’s flag. The organized
crime against humanity in the name of democracy and ethnic federalism for the
last 20 years must end with justice. If TPLF continues its defiance and
repression, Ethiopians have the right to defend themselves using legal and
peaceful means.
Recently Sen. Russ Feingold told President Obama that, if nothing changes,
they should not be afraid to stand with the Ethiopian people. We have also
heard from BBC how TPLF used aid money to buy arms. Isn’t it a wake up call
to the UK, the US and other European countries to side the people and deny all
forms of grants, concessional or soft loans that include military training and
equipment supplies to TPLF?
H.E. Ana Gomes, the leader of the EU Observation Election Mission in 2005 has
informed the world that the election was not a free and fair one. It is historic
that right now she is with us in this marvelous building. We always admire and
give great value for her integrity, humanity, reponsibility and for deffending the
Ethiopian people.
Regardless of the divisive and malicious propaganda campaign agaist us we
Ethiopians have shown TPLF our unshakeable unity and resilience by
overcoming difficulties. These is because the incumbunt is isolated from the
people and beyond that we are both morally and legally superiory over the the
criminals. We Shall continue to struggle untill we get rid of dictatorship and
repression.
Pleaese allow me to thank the British Government and people, Lords, MPs, the
All Party Parliamentary Group on Third World Solidarity, Chair Dave Anderson
MP, Diplomats, people from the Media, friends of Ethiopia and the Chair of the
Third World Solidarity, Cllr. Mushtaq Lasharie for helping us to pass this
message on behalf of the voiceless people of Ethiopia.
