Declaration of stand
Ethiopians in Norway held a public meeting to discuss and chart out the future course of action and responsive measures to be taken following the Yemeni abduction and handover of ato Andargachew Tsige, the secretary general of the Ginbot 7 movement for freedom, justice and democracy.
The meeting was organized by the Democratic Change in Ethiopia Support Organization in Norway (DCESON), held on the 12th of July 2014, attended by the participants that came from the different towns and cities in Norway and lasted for several hours. The meeting started at 15;00 (3:00 p.m.) local time and many of the participants wore T-shirts bearing the portrait of ato Andargachew Tsige and maxim `I am also Andargachew Tsige. This made the meeting splendid and glamorous.
The T-shirts represent the symbols for the solid expressions of the participants` resolve and support for the struggle and the sacrifices ato Andargachew is paying. The T-shirts were made by the Bergen branch of the DCESON and the DCESON had covered all the expenses incurred and made them available to the participants free of charge. .
The meeting started following a minute of silence held to remember all the victims of the 23 years of the brutal rule of the TPLF. Ato Abie Amare who is in charge of the public relations division of the DCESON called the minute of silence. Following this, ato Yohannes Alemu, chairman of the DCESON welcomed and thanked the participants and started his speech. He spoke about Ginbot 7`s recent all out call for practical actions, responses and campaigns against the TPLF regime following the latter`s abduction of ato Andarachew Tsige.
He also mentioned that the TPLF regime has also arrested the opposition politicians of the UDJP, Semayawi partyand Arena and engaged in the peaceful struggle in Ethiopia and stressed the importance of a united struggle to get rid of the oppressive TPLF rule.. The abduction of ato Andargachew Tsige has triggered public anger and created the strong feeling of unity. Thus the struggle belongs not all to Ginbot 7 but also all Ethiopians. Thus the struggle is uniting us and we should continue it in this spirit of unity.
The next speaker was ato Debas, member of the DCESON and he dealt with the struggles of ato Andargachew Tsige since his youth hood under the topic `who is Andargachew Tsige?. Representatives of the EPRP, Shengo and Patriotic Front addressed the participants. They expressed solidarity and emphasized the need for a united struggle to remove the TPLF regime. Poems and speeches were also included in the day`s program until the break that lasted for 30 minutes.
The second part of the meeting started after the break of 30 minutes. Ato Abdu Yussuf deputy chairman of the DCESON Stavanger branch highlighted the first phase calls and action programs the GINBOT 7 has issued recently, suggested a discussion on the steps to be taken to implement them. Ato Yohannes Alemu presided over this discussion. Moreover, the participants discussed a range of issues and it was noted that international task forces are being set up all over to implement the first phase of Ginbot7`s call for action. Thus, the participants also decided to set up a task force consisting of members from the different political organizations.In the end, the participants decided to adopt and issue a 6 point declaration of a stand.
1. When we say that we are all Andargachew, we are committed to the struggle for freedom, democracy and justice in our country, Ethiopia and are willing to pay all the sacrifices needed.
2. Call on and urge all the political organizations and civil societies to end their squabbles, divisions and create unity..We will apply pressure on them to realize this goal
3.We would like express our full readiness to respond to all the national calls to save our country.
4. We will work together to bring the Yemeni government to international justice for its violation of international and human rights laws by abducting and handing over ato Andargachew to the TPLF regime in Ethiopia..
5.The abduction and incarceration of ato Andargachew of ato Andargachew will only fuel and strengthen the struggle and we will express our commitment to actively contribute to it.
6. Call for the halting of all arrests and immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Ethiopia.
Finally, ato Daniel Abebe the vice chairman of the DCESON made concluding remarks on ato Andargachew`s struggle for freedom, democracy, unity and justice. It is time to bring to its end the 23 year brutal, racist, divisive and fascistic rule of the TPLF and urged all to unite and end the rule.
The meeting ended at 20:00 (8:00 p.m.) local time.
All of us are Andargachew Tsige.
Victory to the people of Ethiopia.
The Democratic Change in Ethiopia Support Organization in Norway (DCESON)
