Seeye Abraha in Virtual House Arrest
Chairman of the Human Rights advocate of the horn of Africa
By Desta Hagos

We have received evidence that Ato Seeye Abraha, a bridge to democracy in Ethiopia, appears to be under house arrest. We have come to this conclusion because government personnel have taken it upon themselves to screen individuals who come to visit him. Upon his return from a successful visit to America, where he met with Senators, Congressmen and other citizens, to tell them about human rights abuse in Ethiopia, from his own personal experience, visitors to his home have been intimidated at his front gate. Government security personnel ask to see their identification, check their automobiles, pockets and parcels. In addition, these people have told visitors, including family members, like his brothers, not to come again to visit his home. Their names and automobile numbers are written down and selected individuals are followed. Why are citizens being made to feel intimidated in this way when they visit a friend?

Now that Ato Seeye has been released from spending six unjust years in prison and is an ordinary citizen, why is the government using taxpayers' money to maintain such surveillance on him? Such actions on the part of the government suggest that Ato Seeye is under house arrest. Is that necessary?

This kind of behavior on the part of the Meles government suggests that they are violating the human
rights of Ethiopian citizens who voted for democracy in the last election in 2005. I call upon freedom
loving individuals around the world to prove to Meles and his renegade government that "the pen is mightier than the sword". Those of you reading this message, I ask you to write your elected representatives, tell them that Meles is taking American money in exchange for practicing democracy in Ethiopia, but he is not keeping his part of the agreement. Together, all peace loving people who believe that Ethiopians deserve to live in a free democratic country, we can make our voices known. To use the theme of US Presidential candidate, Barak Obama, "Yes, we can," "Stand for Change," "Change we can believe in". Ethiopia deserves a change. Meles must respond to the voice of the people, the majority of whom did not vote for him. He disrespected the democratic process by stealing the election in 2005 and must pay the price, the wrath of the Ethiopian people.

One strategy is to have people show their support for HR 2003 by writing to their senator. You must do this quickly because it is now in the American Senate and may be voted on shortly. If you do not know the name of your Senator, call your State House. By doing so we can stop Meles from receiving American taxpayers money and the possibility of his government officials ever receiving a visa to America once they've been convicted of committing a human rights violation and want to run away from Ethiopia to avoid punishment. This bill will make government officials more responsible for their actions and encourage them to use good judgment.

On behalf of all freedom loving individuals throughout the world, we beseech Ato Meles to act in a
responsible way that will prevent Ethiopia from becoming a Rwanda or a Kenya. He's on the road now to having Ethiopia follow these two countries towards chaos and ethnic cleansing. Establishing transparent democracy and practicing behavior that fosters the support of human rights in Ethiopia for all Ethiopians has the potential to avoid the kinds of hatred among citizens that has created the volatile situations we see in various African countries.

I am disturbed that Meles's government has made Ethiopia a beggar state. We beg for money for
everything from food to roads. Why is it a problem if America gives Ethiopia money and then requires
evidence that the government is using it to protect the human rights of her citizens. If Meles were doing that already, then he wouldn't have a problem with America asking for evidence. If Meles doesn't like the criteria America has established, then he shouldn't take their money. Don't blame the American Congress for asking for evidence, they are doing their job as caretakers of the American taxpayers money. It's an integral component of the democratic process. Dear Ato Meles, see this as an example of how the democratic process should work. This is a valuable learning experience for a neophyte democratic country like Ethiopia.