Amnesty International: Urgent Action Appeal
Teachers and trade unionists
Wasihun Melese (m)
Anteneh Getnet (m)
Anteneh Getnet, a member of the Ethiopian Teachers Association (ETA), is now reported to be detained incommunicado at the police Central Investigation Bureau (known as Maekelawi). ETA member Wasihun Melese is also held there. Both men were arrested on 23 September.They have not been given access to relatives or legal representation but were allowed to receive food from their families. Amnesty International remains concerned for their safety and fears they may be ill-treated or tortured while in custody. Anteneh Getnet was previously abducted and beaten in May 2006, allegedly by members of the security forces. He is still suffering from injuries sustained when he was beaten. (Read entire Urgent Action Appeal from Amnesty International)
The coalition for HR5680: Register to vote!
The coalition for HR5680 is urging all Ethiopian Americans to register to vote for the upcoming mid-term elections. Voter registration deadlines for the November 7, 2006 Mid-Term elections of the House of Representatives and of the Senate are fast approaching: some as soon as this weekend! The Coalition for H.R. 5680 is calling on supporters to register to vote as soon as possible. The coalition will provide on its web site a complete list of Congressional Representatives that support H.R 5680. (Read press release) (Visit HR5680's website)
International Conference: on democracy , human rights and the rule of law in Ethiopia (Final remainder)
This is to remind our readers to attend the conference on human right and the rule of democracy in Ethiopia which will be held on the 13th of October 2006 at Debalie, Amsterdam. The event will also be transmitted live via the web for people who will not be able to attend.
Key speakers:
- Dr Meqdes Mesfin,daughter of Prof. Mesfin
Wolde Mariam
- Dr Martin Hill : researcher from AI UK
- The Honourable Madam Ana Gomes: MPE
- Mr Andre Dumont from the AOB
- Dr Dadimos Haile:University of Antwerp
- Mrs Delphine Reculeau: World Organization
See flyer for the event and the program schedule
Islamists claim Ethiopia shelling Somali town
Somalia's powerful Islamist movement claimed on Thursday that Ethiopian troops are shelling a Muslim-held town near the two countries' border and said it had put its forces on alert for an invasion.Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, chairperson of the executive board of the Supreme Islamic Council of Somalia (ICU), said the shelling had begun on Wednesday on the town of Beledweyne and had caused unknown casualties.
"Our forces are on high alert because yesterday [Wednesday] Ethiopian soldiers started shelling with mortars and artillery around our bases near Beledweyne, he told a ceremony to inaugurate a new sharia law court in the capital.(More...)
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