ESAT Tikuret Ethiopia Interview With Aba Amehaeyesus Ethiopia

አባ አምሃ እየሱስ ማብራርያ በኢሳት ትኩረት ዝግጅት ስለ የወያኔ መጫወቻ ስለሆነችው የኦርቶዶስ ሃይማኖታችን ሲኖዶስ ያብራሩት ማብራሪያ በውነት ወድጄዋለው፥፥ 

በአሁኑ ግዜ በኢትዮጵያችን ውስጥ ያሉት የሃይማኖት አባት ተብዬዎቻችን ከነፍሳቸው ይልቅ ለስጋቸው፥ ከኢትዮጵያ ህዝብ ይልቅ ወያኔዎችን ማገልገል ሥራዬ ብለው ይዘውታል፥፥

ብቻ ምን አለፋችው ሳያቁት ቀርተው ሳይሆን እያወቁ፥ ለሆዳቸው ስለተገዙ ብቻ ሃይማኖታችንን እና አገራችንን እያፈራረሱ ይገኛሉ፥፥

ወራዳ ሁላ፥

TPLF and the Culture of Violence

by Yilma Bekele

According to ESAT the FBI has foiled an attempt by the Ethiopian government to assassinate Ato Abebe Gelaw. Goosh Abera and his accomplices are under custody. Please note here I said the Ethiopian government since there seems to be no thin line between the TPLF party and the government. Why am I not surprised? I am not surprised because for the TPLF violence is sanctioned by the party leaders as a legitimate tool to achieve political, economic and military dominance.

The following weeks as we look closely at Goosh Abera and his criminal friends and the FBI presents a psychological profile of the alleged conspirators we are sure to find out certain telltale signs about TPLF and their bizarre psychopathic behavior. Individuals like Goosh are most probably equipped with basic rudimentary education if any and survive by their wit and ethnic fueled bravado. In Ethiopia they are known for carrying weapons conspicuously, brandishing them at will and revealing in their thuggish behavior. They are the kind that administers summary judgment on street corners, bars and clubs.

How was TPLF Chairman, the recently departed Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi able to achieve this goal in Ethiopia? The simple truth is by using violence to silence, intimidate, and eliminate his and the party’s actual or perceived enemies using any means necessary.  You do not need to be a Sherlock Holmes to detect this pungent smell of gun powder around most Woyanes.

Mengistu Hailemariam prepared the perfect ground for TPLF to flourish. He has already disarmed the population, delegitimized the family system and used the lowest denominators to be in charge of the Kebeles. TPLF inherited a demoralized, confused and tired population to mold in its own image.

The first target of this terrorist organization was the educated citizen. The University was stripped of its most experienced and independent thinkers. By ’94 the University was a former ghost of itself. The political system was dealt in a harsh way. Professor Asrat was murdered in the most inhumane way possible. Teachers President Assefa Maru was shot against a wall execution style. Masses of independent publication owners, editors and reporters were brutally beaten, murdered, bankrupted, intimidated, exiled or killed even in exile. Bank employees were fired in masse, telecommunication workers were discarded teachers and their unions were digested even Chamber of Commerce was not immune from TPLF take over. One thread common to all is that none of them were acquired peacefully. Violence was the main calling card of the TPLF.

Every opportunity he got the sick dictator used to trash our country and our history and every opportunity they got his security department used to bully, intimidate and made to cower with fear. My dear fellow citizens, you know there is nothing new in what I am telling you. Some have witnessed it, plenty have experienced it and a vast majority would try not to think about it. The shame is unbearable.

One thing about TPLF is it is not a behind the curtain type of organization. It practically advertises every hit and all illegal acts. They use their criminal action to send a clear message to the citizen. That is why they insist that all are aware and versed on their mode of operation. They use their Television news, their newspapers and radio to send warning messages before they take action. When the unthinkable happens some are heard to say ‘he/she was warned but refused to listen-they deserve it!”  You see the victim assumes the blame.

They have been systematically killing any and all emerging Ethiopians. They have goon squads that go around intimidating anybody they perceive to be a challenge. They use beating and flogging opponents to shame them in front of family, friends and a whole village. They use blackmail as a tool. They use the law to break the law. Meles used to amend the Constitution in a weekend. Even the Constitution is not worth any respect. Once you trash the Constitution what is on your way?

That is what the FBI s telling us. Their dirty deeds have arrived in America. Under Meles they were content in infiltrating our organizations such as Political Party support groups, Eders, Churches, Sport organization and disrupting from the inside. There is no Organization in North America that has not been a victim of TPLF insider disruption. They are crafty, relentless and completely understand our frame of mind. They exploit our ignorance, selfishness and greed to keep us in a daze.

The new TPLF leaders are a little bit reckless. I understand that too. It comes out of desperation. The group is under tremendous pressure. The late dictator I am afraid was a very selfish person. The sun revolved around him. When he left the light went dim. I do not think any social or military organization can take credit for the current upheaval. In my humble opinion the stink is coming from inside. I agree things are getting ripe on the outside and that could intensify the pressure inside the TPLF bowl. I am afraid the last CEO did not really care to what came after him. He was too busy surviving from day to day in this shark infested pond that he did not have the time and luxury to bother with outcome. He left an army with too many generals.  Here in America there is a saying ‘all chiefs and no Indians.’ Debretsion, Bereket, Sebhat, Gebru, Abbay and a bunch of tin pot Generals are on their own trying to carve the biggest pie for themselves.

This desperate act of attempt to assassinate Ato Abebe here in the US is the work of a mad man. If the group was trying to send a message about the long arm of TPLF it is a very stupid and crazy gesture. We have been complaining about their disruptive activities in our midst but this mission of trying to kill is a little concerning. There is no question the FBI will get to the bottom of this incident. It should be treated as act of terrorism by a government and investigated to the full extent of the law and let the chips fall where they may.

I am sure the alleged conspirator will name names and tell us who gave the order for such criminal act. I doubt one individual will take it upon himself to take such mission. The Ethiopian Government under Dictator Meles routinely used to kill, rough up and intimidate its opponents in the African countries they are exiled to. The new guys are a little daring. Prime Minister Debretsion and security chief Workeneh Gebehu Should be interviewed about the work of their agents and made to take responsibility for their actions. We hope the US government will take the necessary action of baring all Ethiopian Government officials and family members from entering the country before everything is known about this conspiracy to commit crime in the US. We should demand the US government protect us from the monsters they have been coddling.

This definitely is not their first time committing crime here in the US. They have been using every legal and illegal means to harass, bankrupt and shut down Ethiopian Review Web site. They have employed what is known as denial of service attacks (DDoS Attack) to block ER and various Web sites, they have hired attorneys to intimidate ER publisher and are present in every of our Churches sawing dissent and negativity.

As Ethiopians in exile we should take the actions of these criminals seriously. It is true there is no criminal without the victim. Sometimes it is unfortunate things happen but you really can’t leave your door open and cry about being robbed do you? It is time we accept responsibility. The Ethiopian people that are facing the brunt of TPLF abuse should wake up and face their coward enemies. By now it should be clear silence is not the answer. The one year anniversary by our Muslim citizens is clear indication the regime does not listen to reason. The steadfastness of our Muslim brethren should be applauded and emulated by the rest of us. The call by our Orthodox church in exile for every one of us to safeguard our religion and our country is a timely reminder.

The fact that we have muscle now is a very empowering feeling. The cooperation between Ginbot7, Afar Front, anti Woyane activists in Tigrai, OLF, Patriotic Front and the formation of Ginbo7 Forces is the right direction considering the nature of TPLF. As I said before leveling the playing field is called for. That is one small step for our Fronts and one giant step for Ethiopia.

As for the Diaspora it is time we stop enriching the coffers of the evil regime. Any kind of involvement in their Ponzi scheme adds one day more to their life. As there is no little pregnancy there is no such thing as a little investment. It has to be a clean and complete break. This Abesha way of qualifying our illegal act is not good for our future. Your selfish action is hurting us and we ask you stop it. It is like MLK said ‘In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.’  It is something to think about.

We feel the pain and hurt of our friend Abebe and his family. He has never threatened those that have hounded him and his family from his beloved homeland. His only weapon is his pen and pencil and the power of reason to resolve contradictions. Exiling him was not enough. Now they want to kill him in cold blood. That is the only language they speak. They have killed so many but they are unable to understand their violence has not resolved any of the outstanding issues. Don’t they see it? Don’t they know there are a lot more Abebes as there were plenty of Asrats, Assefas, Eskindirs, Reyots? When is this madness going to stop? When is our country going to be a citadel of peace and harmony instead of a poster child for famine and civil war?

You know what no one gives you your freedom. You have to snatch it from those that want to make you their slave. No oppressor has ever said enough, I am going to leave you alone here go in peace. No, every oppressor faced by human kind was compelled to relinquish power by force. Not reason but force. The French revolution, the American revolution, the Russian revolution, the Chinese revolution, the South African revolution are all examples of the citizens taking matters into his hands and forcing the oppressor to step aside. Woyane dogs are not going to wake up one morning and pack and leave. You and I have to push them out. That is the only proven way. Anything else invites more abuse.

source: http://ecadforum.com/2013/01/11/tplf-and-the-culture-of-violence/

Why should Ethiopians support ESAT? Mr. Tamagne’s Europe campaign tour

ESAT Europe Support Committee

Background information and Statement of the problem

In spite of Ethiopia’s long history and the fact that the nation is one of the ancient civilizations, the country is being ruled by absolute dictatorship which evolved to ethnic based totalitarianism under TPLF/EPRDF administration. Particularly in the aftermaths of the 2005 Ethiopian national elections, the regime developed a strategy of steadily shrinking press freedom and systematically eliminating independent newspapers in an attempt to rule the people of Ethiopia in total darkness.  Among the enacted three deeply flawed laws by Zenawi’s regime is the media law. The law contained numerous provisions that fundamentally violets freedom and human rights guaranteed under Ethiopia’s constitution and international laws – aimed at terrorizing journalists that report facts and criticize the intolerable TPLF policies. Escalating its repression the regime’s antiterrorism proclamation (ATP) of the 2009 has been widely used to criminalize any critical comments and dissent opposition in an attempt for an absolute grip over the media and to root out the seedlings of democracy. Pro-opposition websites has been blocked and jamming of websites and Medias including VOA and ESAT is frequent and is widely acknowledged by international organizations as stated underneath.

Reporter without boarders stated that Ethiopia’s press freedom is worsening; newspapers and journalists are under constant trait. It also stated that Ethiopia has joined the list of sub-Saharan countries that are keeping a close eye on the media and trying to control or influence editorial policies. Due to the regime’s increasing intolerance, it has been doing everything it can to stifle the critical impulses of journalists and to make life difficult for the private media. “The government is trying to suffocate the media”. In its statement the France-based international non-governmental organization urged the Ethiopian government to stop creating climate of fear against media professionals.

Freedom House (an independent watchdog organization that supports democratic change, monitors the status of freedom around the world, and advocates for democracy and human rights) stated in 2011 authoritarian regimes in various parts of the world censored news of the Arab uprisings fearing domestic unrest. Governments of various countries in Africa and the Middle East employed techniques ranging from information blackouts in the state media to sophisticated internet and text-message filtering. Ethiopia is among those nations which experienced substantial deterioration of press freedom in 2011 and independent media’s continued to face challenges. In its assessment Ethiopia score significant decline and is not free. Freedom on the net status measures countries level of internet and digital media freedom with numerical score from 0 the most free to 100 the least free.

In its 2012 report Freedom House stated Ethiopia received a numerical value of 75 (freedom on the net total) and Ethiopia is in category of not free (freedom on the net status). In its assessment it indicated that Ethiopia is among those not free countries where the government blocks large number of politically relevant websites and the state invested significant resources in technical capacity and manpower to identify content for blocking. It also indicated that such governments (not free countries) employ a range of tactics to curb internet freedom – including imposing pressure on bloggers, arresting users who post political comments that are critical of the authorities and use blocking and filtering as key tool for limiting free expression. Moreover concerned with the power of new technologies to catalyze political change Ethiopia is among the authoritarian states that have taken various measures to filter, monitor, or otherwise obstruct free speech online (Freedom House 2012 report).

According to the African Federation of Journalists, many African countries have accelerated their abuse and imprisonment of journalists and Eastern Africa is the worst affected. In its assessment it stated that Ethiopia is sliding in treatment of reporters and imprisoning journalists on anti-terrorism charges. In its report African Federation of Journalists highlighted the case of Eskinder Nega – renowned journalist who is among Ethiopian journalists imprisoned on anti-terrorism charges for criticizing of the EPRDF regime following Arab uprisings. Moreover an open letter by international journalists to the TPLF/EPRDF foreign minister highlights broader abuses: “Ethiopia’s history of harassing, exiling and detaining both domestic and foreign reporters has been well-documented. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists Ethiopia is the second-leading jailer of journalists in Africa. Over the past decade, 79 Ethiopian reporters have fled into exile, the most of any country in the world, according to CPJ data. A number of these have worked as stringers for international news agencies. Additionally, since 2006, the regime has detained or expelled foreign correspondents from the Associated Press, the New York Times, the Daily Telegraph, Bloomberg News, the Christian Science Monitor, the Voice of America, and the Washington Post.

Justification on the exceptional role of ESAT and the intended EU campaign

·         Role, guiding principle and objective of ESAT

In today’s Ethiopia there is one national TV, one national radio, one national daily, one English daily, one internet service provider and one telecom all under strict control of the dictatorial TPLF/EPRDF regime. The state-run media is solely focused on crude propaganda and shuts out critical views. As a result of this Ethiopians have been hungry of a media outlet that report facts and provide accurate analysis established for and by Ethiopians thus is accountable to the people. Realizing the complex challenge free press experiencing in our country and the inexorable aspiration of Ethiopian people for free media, Ethiopians founded the Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT) in 2010; and also established international support chapters all over the world. ESAT aspires to fill the gap so that the Ethiopian people will have unrestricted access to information, diverse viewpoints and perspectives.

The guiding principle in establishment and broadcasting of ESAT, the first independent Ethiopian satellite service, fully concur with Article 19 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights that “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”  To this end since its establishment ESAT is tasked to produce accurate and balanced news and information, as well as other entertainment, created for and by Ethiopians. It is committed to the highest standards of broadcast journalism and programming and will strive to provide an outlet of expression to all segments of the diverse Ethiopian community worldwide. Particularly it subscribes to the central principles of professional journalists that “public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy.”  (http://ethsat.com/editorial-policy/)  ESAT believes that a well-functioning independent press is an essential element of a democratic system by exposing corruption, abuse of power, mismanagement and embezzlement of public resources. ESAT also believes that without free access to information and ideas, citizens are unable to participate meaningfully in the political system by exercising their right to vote or by taking part in the efforts to shape the process of public policy and decision making (http://ethsat.com/about-us/).

The primary objective of ESAT is therefore to provide free access to information for the people of Ethiopia (http://ethsat.com/about-us/).

·         ESAT fund raising and the scheduled Europe campaign tour

Currently, ESAT relies on the support it receives from individual donors and contributions from the Ethiopian Diaspora. Hence ESAT relies on the contribution of its supporters to stay on air.  Given the fact that successful task of public enlightenment is not usually cheap and rarely works overnight; sustained fundraising campaign is vital.  In any society the journey for democracy requires various instruments of democratization. The appeal of the media either as companion or alternative to other instruments of democratization is obvious. It is cheaper and less dangerous. It is also more effective than the acts of diplomacy in successfully igniting the path for democratization. Moreover in Ethiopia’s oppressive political system ESAT contributes in converting from opponent to democratic point of view or at least encourage rationality- is a possibility – which must appeal to all except the misanthropes. Countering the crude propaganda of the regime’s run media with fact based reporting and analysis do provide the Ethiopian public the data and thus confidence to demand genuine democracy. Free media also helps in protecting the path for democracy, when successfully ignited.

Mr. Tamagne Beyene ESAT Europe tour

Since its establishment ESAT has been striving to raise fund from Ethiopian diaspora all over the world. In this regard the renowned activist and artist Tamagne Beyene has made many successful campaigns all over the world. The scheduled Europe campaign tour by Mr. Tamagne is part of his active and unwavering commitment to see democratic Ethiopia. Particularly his role towards supporting and fund raising for ESAT is remarkable. Subsequent to the 2005 Ethiopian national election the quest for democracy by Ethiopian people, both at home and in the diaspora, has been significantly weakened. To this end ESAT has played momentous role in uplifting the spirit of Ethiopian people, the quest for democracy and unity – in which the role of Mr. Tamagne is again very remarkable.

Expected output and beneficiaries

The planned campaign in seven cities across Europe has several benefits for EAST and Ethiopians both at home and in the diaspora. The tour will not only inspire people who are already ESAT supporters to keep on contributing to this novel case; but also encourages those who felt hopeless to take part towards the common objective for democratizing Ethiopia. In the aftermath of the 2005 election one of the ingredients that significantly depressed many Ethiopians, on the quest of democracy in our country, is lack of strong credible independent Media of our own. The establishment of ESAT successfully voids that gap. The tour by Mr. Tamagne thus promotes democratic sentiment among Ethiopians at home and abroad particularly the diaspora residing in Europe. It contributes towards encouraging Ethiopians to demand human and democratic rights in our country. The planned tour also helps to encourage pessimists of democracy and even fanatic supporters of the regime to question their view and the danger that such exclusionist view has been pausing on our country. In such circumstances countering the crude propaganda of the TPLF regime, which attempts to manipulate and control public opinion, with accurate and fact based reporting urges those fanatic individuals who stood naked and unprotected to comprehend the true side of the story from the independent media ESAT. In this regard the benefits of the tour range from keeping motivated the already subscribed supporters of ESAT to convincing those who have not yet took part in supporting ESAT. Public opinion is essential and the core in the strive for democracy and thus the tour by Mr. Tamagne assists to maintain and enhance the approval rate of ESAT whilst contributing to raise the much needed funding to keep it on the air.

Support ESAT, the voice of the silenced people of Ethiopia!!

ESAT Insight with Gregory Stanton by Skype

ESAT  Interview with pro. . Gregory H. Stanton

President of Genocide Watch

Rebels blow up bus carrying ruling party officials near Lalibela

LALIBELA, Northern Ethiopia (Ethiomedia) - Dozens of ruling party officials were killed and scores of others maimed when a landmine blew up their 45-seater bus near the historic town of Lalibela on Tuesday, rebel sources told Ethiomedia by phone on Wednesday.

The victims were all members of the Amhara National Democratic Movement (ANDM), which is one of the four parties that make up the EPRDF coalition.

The rebel group Ethiopian Unity and Freedom Force (EUFF) said the officials were returning to Bahirdar after they had Christmas celebrations at Checheho Medhanialem Church on the border between Lasta and Gayint districts.

The news couldn't be verified by an independent source, though previous reports by the rebel organization have never been disputed by the government in Addis.

EUFF meanwhile warned civilians to avoid buses and other means of transportation used by ruling party and government officials.

Last week, at least 20 people were killed and 21 seriously injured when they were trying to put out a fire that had engulfed a fuel tanker belonging to the ruling party. The tanker had detonated a landmine. The incident attracted passengers of a bus but couldn't escape death when the fully-loaded tanker exploded into a fireball and consumed all those who were there to fight the blaze.

EUFF has stepped up military operations in recent times, destroying TPLF/EPRDF property and targetting prisons to free detained political prisoners.

In Ethiopia, the political repression is so severe even journalists are convicted in courts as terrorists who are slapped with long-term prison sentences.

source: http://www.ethiomedia.com/assert/5045.html

ESAT WAZA ENA KUMENGER ETHIOPIA

FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN IN OSLO, NORWAY FEBRUARY 10 2012 WITH A FAMOUS ARTIST AND ACTIVIST TAMAGNE BEYENE.

ESAT FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN IN OSLO, NORWAY FEBRUARY 10 2012 WITH A FAMOUS ARTIST AND ACTIVIST TAMAGNE BEYENE

THERE WILL BE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN IN OSLO, NORWAY FEBRUARY 10 2012 WITH A FAMOUS ARTIST AND ACTIVIST TAMAGNE BEYENE. 

THERE WILL BE A MEETING FROM 16.00 OKLOCK, 
MUSIC PROGRAM, ETHIOPIAN TRADITIONAL AND MODERN MUSIC WITH A TRADITIONAL ETHIOPIAN DANSERS AND FOOD. 

THE ENTRANCE IS 200 KR.

COME ENJOY AND HELP ESAT THE ONLY WAY TO BREAK THE SILENCE IN ETHIOPIA.

Adress. Halvardshjemmet 3rd buss stop from Oslo S, by buss no. 32. to direction Kværnerbyen.

Bussno. 37 5th buss stop direction to Helsfyr from oslo city step out Hårdrådes gt. and go forward 500 meter ahead and turn to write at the trafic light, and go 50 meter to the right direction.


Hosted by Democratic change in Ethiopia support organization Norway and ESAT Norway commitee.

Ethiopia, the same regime another Genocide?

G7 Press Release – January 10, 2013

On December 13, 2003, members of the special unit of the Ethiopian military entered the town of Gambella in south western Ethiopia, and over the course of the next three days, the special force unit tortured and killed 424 ethnic Anuaks and burned their houses to ashes. The Ethiopian Human Rights Council and Dr. Gregory H. Stanton, founder and President of Genocide Watch, alerted the international community about the Gambella genocide. The world gave a deaf ear to the horror in Gambella, and as a result, the Ethiopian military continued its crime against humanity killing more than 2000 ethnic Anuaks and causing over 50,000 to flee their ancestral home land.

On December 10, 2013, exactly 10 years after the Gambella genocide, the Ethiopian military strikes again, this time in Southern Ethiopia killing more than 150 men, women, and children. According to an eye witness account, the Ethiopian army surrounded the village of ethnic Suris in South Ethiopia, tied the villagers into a group of two, and massacred them execution style. Ginbot 7, Movement for Justice, Freedom and Democracy strongly condemns the barbaric action of the TPLF security forces against the Suri community and calls on all civilized nations of the world to hold the Ethiopian regime accountable for its actions and bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.

The continued silence of the international community, especially donor nations such as the U.S, U.K., and members of the European Union has emboldened the Ethiopian regime to continue committing crimes against defenseless people in different parts of the country.

Ginbot 7 is deeply disturbed by the acquiescence of the international community and the quiet support provided to a rogue regime that repeatedly commits crimes against humanity.

Ginbot 7 urges the international community to reconsider its hypocritical policy and use its leverage to rein the TPLF regime to stop the mass killing in Ethiopia.

Ginbot 7 and the Ethiopian people understand the importance of the global war on terror. However, membership in the international military campaign against terror must not allow the criminal regime in Ethiopia to terrorize its own people. The US, the UK and the EU cannot fight terrorism in Somalia while enabling a terrorist regime to commit genocide in Ethiopia. This misguided foreign policy is morally reprehensible and a danger to the long term stability of Ethiopia.

ESAT Yesamintu EngIda Martin and Yohann part I Ethiopia

FBI foils assassination plot against Ethiopian journalist

Addis Voice—The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has foiled a plot to shoot and kill Ethiopian journalist Abebe Gellaw in Boston, Massachusetts.

The plot was allegedly orchestrated by a man named Guesh Abera, a Boston resident and parking lot attendant inhis mid-thirties. Guesh and his three accomplices, who are suspected of being spies and fanatic members of the tyrannical regime in Ethiopia, were determined to “eliminate” the journalist and press freedom activist, sources say.

Abebe, who was voted Ethiopian Man of the Year 2012 by listeners and viewers of the Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT) and radio across the world on Monday, traveled to Boston last month to attend a fundraiser for the popular TV and radio channels. The suspects had planned to shoot him during his sojourn.
According to the sources, four Boston residents suspected of being agents of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, an ethnic-based rebel group that has brutally ruled Ethiopia for the last 21 years, had taken steps to execute the  journalist. Guesh, the ringleader of gang, was reportedly communicating with his accomplices using a fake Facebook account (Hailemarim Desalegn) and emails. FBI agents reportedly intercepted some of the exchanges detailing the plot. in Boston.

Special Agent Greg Comcowich, a spokesperson for FBI Boston branch, declined to give details of the investigation but emphasized that the agency will take seriously any criminal activities that violate not only the civil rights of individuals but also the constitution of the United States.

“Anybody who threatens people’s lives because of their political views or attempt to usurp one’s constitutionally protected First Amendment rights will be dealt with appropriately. That is not the way America works,” he said.

He further noted that the FBI takes allegations of being agents of a foreign government to attack or spy on anyone very seriously. He encouraged Ethiopians with such information to contact their local FBI branches.

The plot was foiled in the bud as FBI special agents had uncovered the plot in time and took measures to prevent the would-be assassins from executing their  plot, according a source, who wants to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter.

A fortnight ago, FBI agents raided a Roxberry house where the ringleader of the plot shares with four other people. Agents also went to the workplaces of two of the residents. An Ethiopian who knows Guesh Abera said that he worshiped the late Ethiopian dictator Meles Zenawi. He was also very upset with Abebe Gellaw’s dramatic protest against the former PM at such a high profile meeting.

President of Genocide Watch, Prof. Gregory Stanton, praised the FBI agents who foiled the plot and commended the agency for being strong and very reliable defender of civil rights. Prof. Gregory, who famously brought perpetrators of mass atrocities in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge and also investigated mass atrocities in Ethiopia, said that the TPLF is a terrorist organization that should be labeled as such by the United States.

“The Justice Department has never declared the TPLF a terrorist organization the way it should. But it is clearly the arm of a criminal government. The FBI needs to be aware of this reality and any threats by the TPLF needs to be reported to the FBI,” he said.

Journalist Abebe Gellaw says that since he confronted the late dictator Meles Zenawi at the G8 Food Security Symposium last May in Washington DC, he has received hundreds of death threats through various ways including Facebook, which is also being misused as a means of organizing crimes.

“It is unbelievable that I have faced persecution by the very people that forced me into exile. I very well know the risks of reporting and speaking truth to power. I am happy to sacrifice my life for the right cause. I will continue to do whatever it takes to make a difference and bring the truth out as much as possible.”

Last July Abebe, along with 10 other prominent Ethiopian journalists and two Swedish journalists, was convicted of being a “terrorist”. He was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in jail journalistic work and his roles in ESAT, a rising media powerhouse that seems to terrify the Ethiopian government. The government constantly jams transmissions of ESAT and the Voice of America Amharic broadcasts.

“We surely know that the Ethiopian government is allergic to the truth. Those of us that are in the business of reporting and writing on so many sensitive issues such as gross human rights violations will continue to spread the truth as widely as possible. That is our mission. If this costs my life, I will happily pay the ultimate price,” Abebe said.

FBI foils assassination attempt against journalist Abebe Gelaw

የFBI መርማሪዎች አበበ ገላውን ለመግደል የታቀደ ሴራ አከሸፉ፥፥

በሴራው የተሳተፉ የህወሃት ሰላዮች ምርመራ እየተደረገባቸው ነው፥፥

Sham Verdict by a Kangaroo Court

G7 Press release, June 27, 2012

Today’s political verdict by the kangaroo court of Meles Zenawi comes as no surprise to the 24 wrongly convicted political prisoners. The Ethiopian people are long accustomed to witnessing these self-serving show trials on trumped up charges of perceived political enemies.Under the rogue regime of Meles Zenawi, the court system, time and again, has been brazenly used to criminalize dissent and brutally punish innocent citizens.

According to CPJ, Ethiopia, under Meles Zenawi’s regime, has the dubious honor of being the # 1 jailer of journalists.  Today’s verdict will have an even more chilling effect on freedom of expression and the press.

The 2009 draconian anti-terrorism law that was enacted for the sole purpose of stifling dissent is now being used aggressively to punish independent journalists, newspaper editors, and bloggers who dare exercise their right to freely express their views as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Right and in the 1994 Ethiopian Constitution as well.

Ethiopian journalists have become an endangered species under the rogue regime of Meles Zenawi and the right to free expression will remain in peril in Ethiopiauntil a democratic government based on the rule of law and the will of the people is established in Ethiopia.

We call on the Ethiopian people to unite behind a common purpose of bringing an end to the corrupt and abusive regime of Meles Zenawi which has been an enemy of freedom, democracy, justice, and equality in Ethiopia for far too long. It is time for Ethiopians to say enough to the dictatorship of Meles Zenawi and his ethnic party, the TPLF.

We call on the Obama Administration and all freedom loving nations to condemn this sham verdict in the strong words possible and to stop ignoring the plight of the Ethiopian people suffering under the unrelenting assault of the tyrannical regime of Meles Zenawi.

The time has come for Western donor nations to withdraw their moral and materialsupport to Zenawi’s regime and force the regime end its flagrant human rights violations and   step out of the way of the democratic transition that the Ethiopian people are yearning for. The United States needs to acknowledge the legitimate democratic aspirations of the Ethiopian people and to stand with them and their dream of a better future.

Ginbot 7 Movement for Justice, Freedom and Democracy

ESAT Ethiopia interview Dr. Aregawi Berhe part 1 of 6 june 2011

ESAT Daily News Amsterdam 04 January 2013 Ethiopia

Civil Society Crackdown in Ethiopia

On 1 January 2013, Ethiopia took up its seat on the United Nations Human rights Council. The uncontested election – Africa put forward five countries for five seats – has raised some eyebrows, given the country’s own poor rights record. Elected member countries are obliged to ‘uphold the highest standards in the promotion and protection of human rights’. Yet, in Ethiopia, hundreds of political prisoners languish in jails where torture is common and a crackdown on the media and civil society is in full swing.

The blogger Eskinder Nega exemplifies the fate of those who dare to speak out. Eskinder was arbitrarily arrested and jailed following the controversial 2005 elections. After his release from prison two years later, he was placed under ongoing surveillance and banned from publishing. Then, in 2011, he was rearrested, convicted in an unfair trial under Ethiopia’s broad terrorism law, and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Since the 2005 elections, the human rights situation in Ethiopia has progressively deteriorated: the government has shut down legitimate political avenues for peaceful protest; and opposition leaders, civil society activists and independent journalists have been jailed or forced to flee. Furthermore, state-driven development policies, including large-scale agricultural development and ‘villagization’ programmes, have seen communities forcibly relocated from their traditional lands, without adequate consultation or compensation, to villages that lack basic services

The ruling party has passed a host of laws attacking the media and civil society, including the Charities and Societies Proclamation that has made independent human rights work in the country almost impossible. The state has frozen the assets of the last two remaining groups – the leading women’s rights organization, the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association EWLA) – which has provided free legal aid to over 17,000 women – and the Human Rights Council (HRCO).

Ethiopia’s security forces have in recent years been implicated in crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Somali and Gambella regions. But Ethiopia has not only succeeded in stemming criticism at the national level but also internationally. And the worsening human rights situation has not dampened donors’ enthusiasm, even when their assistance has harmed democratic institutions or minority populations. Ethiopia’s friends and partners in the region should use its three-year term on the Council to put its rights abuses under the international spotlight. They should use debates to urge the Ethiopian government to release all political prisoners, lift unlawful restrictions on civil society and the media, and stop blocking visit requests

byUNhuman rights experts.

http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/01/04/civil-society-crackdown-ethiopia

20 killed, 21 injured to save a burning fuel tanker

DEBRE TABOR, GONDER – At least 20 people were killed and 21 seriously injured when they were trying to put out a fire that had engulfed a fuel tanker near the small town of Kimir Dingai on Wednesday.

Fully loaded and on its way from Woldia to Kimir Dingai, the tanker with a trailer was owned by TPLF, and was the target of a powerful land mine buried by rebels of the Ethiopian Unity and Freedom Force (EUFF). The victims were all passengers on a bus that was heading from Gonder to Woldia town.

The tanker hit the mine on Golesh Mer Bridge at 2:00 pm local time, and was caught up in an inferno when the passengers disembarked their bus to help but were killed in an ensuing huge explosion.

An EUFF spokesperson told Ethiomedia by phone that the rebel organization deeply regretted the unintended loss of civilian lives in a target that was aimed at destroying the property of a repressive regime.

EUFF has stepped up military operations in recent times, speciallydestroying TPLF/EPRDF property and targetting prisons to free detained political prisoners.

Sourse: Ethiomedia 
January 4, 2013

What can the 44th president really achieve in his second term? Here are 10 ideas.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Previous: John Prendergast on why Obama should get Kony.

Kenneth Roth: Dump These 8 Unsavory Allies

During the U.S. presidential campaign, challenger Mitt Romney famously accused President Obama of having "thrown allies like Israel under the bus." It was an odd characterization of a policy that saw Obama make a brief, abandoned effort to limit settlement expansion, no serious attempt to stop the Jim Crow-like separate-and-unequal treatment of Palestinians in Israeli-controlled parts of the West Bank, and a determined push to ensure that the International Criminal Court won't get jurisdiction over war crimes in Palestinian territory.

But plenty of governments deserve, if not being directed to the bus, at least being shown the door when it comes to unconditional U.S. support. So-called realists will offer the usual rationalizations for ignoring that prescription. Their view of the national interest, however, is outdated in a world where modern communications make it easy for people to coalesce around grievances and perilous for governments to ignore them. The Arab Spring showed nothing if not the folly of relying on strongmen to bring stability.

In this new world, standing up for human rights reflects not only America's values but also its interests. It should be at the heart of U.S. policy, not an option of convenience. If Obama wants to bolster his legacy in his second term, he can and should get tough on some of the United States' most unsavory friends and allies. Here is a good start:

Afghanistan: As the Pentagon bows out, it is counting on Afghan President Hamid Karzai to see through the planned 2014 transition. But the Obama administration hasn't used its considerable leverage to dissuade Karzai from undermining women's rights, appointing an alleged torturer as intelligence chief, tolerating rampant corruption, and blocking efforts to hold accountable his warlord allies.

Uzbekistan:

During the 2005 uprising in the town of Andijan, President Islam Karimov ordered troops to surround the demonstrators and shoot everyone in sight. Hundreds were slaughtered. His government routinely tortures dissidents and imprisons them for 15 or 20 years. Some have even been boiled alive. Yet the Obama administration soft-pedals his brutality -- and waived restrictions on selling him military equipment -- because Uzbekistan provides an alternative to Pakistan for resupplying the troops in Afghanistan. Especially as this rationale disappears, the Faustian bargain should end. 

Cambodia: In 28 years as prime minister, Hun Sen has presided over the killing of countless political opponents while increasing his control of the army, police, and courts. But the Obama administration has done little to discourage him from building a one-party state, such as insisting that exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy be allowed home without fear of arrest, and has placed no conditions on increased military ties or aid. Cambodia is where Obama should demonstrate that his Asian "pivot" isn't a competition with China for the loyalty of autocrats but a vision for Asian democracy.

Rwanda:

Led by President Paul Kagame, the Rwandan government has long benefited from Washington's genocide guilt (Bill Clinton's administration sat on its hands during the 1994 massacre of more than half a million people) and admiration for its progress rebuilding the country. But the Rwandan Patriotic Front, which became the national army, itself murdered tens of thousands of civilians in the 1990s; the government uses detention and violence to shut down political opposition; and the military, despite persistent government denials, has actively supported a succession of rebel groups in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo. At the U.S. Congress's insistence, the Obama administration has finally suspended some military aid to Rwanda, but it continues to run political interference for the government and downplay its crimes, most recently its military support for the murderous M23 rebellion in eastern Congo.

Ethiopia: Washington had a blind spot for growing repression under the late Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who died in August. In return for Ethiopia's help fighting terrorism and battling al-Shabab militants in Somalia, the Obama administration muffled its criticism of the security forces' war crimes and the government's restrictions on civil society, detention of journalists, violence against demonstrators, and pursuit of development policies that penalize political opponents.

Saudi Arabia: Yes, it has lots of oil. But the Saudis, who need cash to fuel their welfare state, are going to sell it regardless of how Obama treats them. Meanwhile, the Saudi monarchy holds thousands in arbitrary detention, imposes archaic restrictions on women, suppresses most dissent, mistreats its Shiite minority, and insists that the neighboring Bahraini monarchy crush its pro-democracy movement. Obama has been silent.

Bahrain:

Saudi Arabia's next-door neighbor is the most glaring exception to Obama's generally supportive posture toward Arab Spring demonstrators. The ruling Al Khalifa family uses lethal force, torture, and arbitrary detention to crush protests. Yet out of deference to Saudi sensibilities and fear of losing the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet base, the Obama administration has allowed its security relationship with Bahrain to trump its concern for the rights of Bahrainis -- a selectivity that undermines its broader support for Arab freedom.

Mexico: The country's drug cartels have committed horrific crimes, but so have the security forces that former President Felipe Calderón sent to combat them. Obama routinely praised Calderón's "great courage" in fighting the cartels with nary a word about widespread military and police abuses. Instead, the administration has sent some $2 billion to support Mexico's counternarcotics efforts, despite ample evidence of human rights violations and security forces so corrupt that the Mexican government has turned to its navy to crack down on the cartels.

Kenneth Roth is executive director of Human Rights Watch.

Next: David E. Hoffman on why Obama should take the nukes off alert.

JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images