Ethiopia: Update to ETH30685.E of 7 December 1998 regarding treatment of members and suspect members of the All Amhara People's Organization (AAPO) by the authorities; Update to ETH24418.E of 24 June 1996 and ETH27881.E of 16 October 1997 regarding AAPO membership procedures and documentation

All Amhara People's Organization (AAPO) President Dr. Asrat Woldeyes was released from prison on 27 December 1998 to receive medical attention abroad (Ethiopian Register Feb. 1999, 5). The pending charges against Dr. Asrat were not dismissed but were instead suspended following his refusal to appeal for a pardon (ibid.). The trial of AAPO co-defendants of Dr. Asrat was also adjourned due to the poor health of one of the defendants, Captain Alemneh Metreyes, who reportedly contracted tuberculosis in prison (ibid., 6). On 31 March 1999 21 AAPO co-defendants of Dr. Asrat, imprisoned since 1995, received sentences of up to 20 years in prison (Ethiopian Register May 1999, 6). The report states that no verdict was given with respect to Dr. Asrat who was at that time still receiving medical treatment overseas (ibid.).

AFP, citing the Ethiopian weekly Reporter, reported the death of Dr. Asrat in hospital at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Centre on 13 May 1999 from diabetes and a blood clot in the brain (16 May 1999). According to the attached Special Report of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) "A Corpse Over Another Corpse", printed in the July 1999 issue of Ethiopian Register, Ethiopian security forces harassed persons who had gathered to receive Dr. Asrat's remains on 25 May 1999 and during the funeral procession three days later two persons were shot by security personnel (32-34). One member of the security forces was subsequently arrested in connection with the shooting (ibid.). According to the accounts of two of the people detained in these incidents, the police released all persons who admitted being current AAPO members, but persons claiming to have been past members, or denying membership entirely, were kept in detention (ibid., 33).

No information regarding AAPO membership procedures and documentation, additional to that found in to ETH24418.E of 24 June 1996 and ETH27881.E of 16 October 1997 could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP) [Paris, World Service, in English]. 16 May 1999. "AFP Reports Ethiopian Opposition Figure Dies in U.S." (FBIS-AFR-1999-0516 16 May 1999/WNC) [Accessed 22 July 1999]

Ethiopian Register. [Avon, MN]. July 1999. Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO). "26th Special Report. A Corpse Over Another Corpse. Atrocious and Shameful Violation of Human Rights. June 11, 1999."

_____. May 1999. "Professor Asrat's Co-defendants Sentenced to up to 20 Years' Hard Labour."

_____. February 1999. "Professor Asrat's Court Hearing Suspended."

Attachments

Ethiopian Register. [Avon, MN]. July 1999. Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO). "26th Special Report. A Corpse Over Another Corpse. Atrocious and Shameful Violation of Human Rights. June 11, 1999."

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential [London]. 1999.

Africa Research Bulletin. [Oxford]. 1999.

Ethiopian Register [Avon, MN]. 1999.

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. 1999.

Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 1999.

Resource Centre Amnesty International file on Ethiopia. 1999.

Resource Centre Country file on Ethiopia. 1999.

Electronic Sources: IRB Databases, WNC, Internet.

One oral source was unable to provide information within the prescribed deadline.

Unsuccessful attempts to contact an oral source.