PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 25/012/2005

28 July 2005

Further Information on UA 154/05 (AFR 25/001/2005, 07 June 2005) and follow-ups (AFR 25/004/2005, 23 June 2005, AFR 25/010/2005, 06 July 2005) - Fear of torture / Prisoners of conscience

ETHIOPIA Student demonstrators at Addis Ababa University (AAU) and elsewhere

Andargachew Tsege (m), writer, former deputy Mayor of Addis Ababa

Gebrechristos Haileselassie (m) ] Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD)

Azeb Amare (f) ] office staff in Addis Ababa

Endale Hailu (m) ]

Haileyesus Ijiga (m) (in Bahar Dar region) ]

Bisrat Abbi (m) (in Dessie region ]

Getachew Mogesse (m) (in Arsi region) ] CUD regional branch leaders

Kemirte Kamma (m) (in Arba Minch region) ]

Gizaw Gebremedhin (m) (in Jimma region) ]

Shemsu Sesekicho (m) (in Gurage zone) ]

and scores of other opposition party officials and supporters

All 190 Addis Ababa University students detained illegally at Sendafa Police Training College since 6 June have now been released.

As with other detainees arrested for demonstrating against the government, the students were taken to court and released on bail, although not formally charged with any criminal offence. It is not known if these or any other released detainees will eventually be brought to trial.

Virtually all other detainees arrested in Addis Ababa and other places during the demonstrations in early June, have now been taken to court and released on bail. Up to 200 people, mostly unemployed youths, arrested in Addis Ababa and still detained in Ziwai prison have not been able to raise bail and remain in detention.

Investigations into alleged election fraud in many constituencies are still continuing. Re-elections have already been announced in some constituencies. These come before the final rounds of elections in Ethiopia's Somali Region which are due to take place on 21 August.

Many thanks to all those who sent appeals. No further action is required from the UA Network.