AFD Statement on 'Manipulation of legal system and totalitarianism in Ethiopia'
ONLF - June 17, 2007
Over the last 16 years the Ethiopian people have suffered under the tyrannical rule of EPRDF. The gross violation of human rights, the absolute disregard for the rule of law, and the general absence of basic democratic practices, like the independence of the judicial system from direct interference by the executive, has been well documented by various human rights organizations. This sad state of affairs is also well known to western governments who, despite the lofty rhetoric of championing freedom and democracy, continue to bestow external legitimacy on a regime that has completely lost legitimacy at home. The situation has been steadily deteriorating since the botched May 2005 elections in which the overwhelming majority of the people voted out the ruling party. Against popular will it however continues to cling to power by sheer force.
The Alliance for Freedom & Democracy (AFD) strongly condemns the conviction of the leaders of the Coalition for Unity & Democracy (CUD) on trumped up charges. This politically motivated, sudden and unjust verdict by the kangaroo court is another indication of the totalitarian nature of the EPRDF/TPLF regime and a sign of desperation ...