Joint Declaration

By

UEDF, CUD and EPRDF on the NEBE Complaints Review and Investigation Process

10 June 2005

1. The signatories of this declaration:-

- re-affirm their commitment to the successful and peaceful conclusion of the electoral process, in a manner that fully respects the wishes of the people, the rule of law and constitutional processes of the country. [Constitutional Process? Killing, maiming, detaining, harrassing, threatening....citizens committed by Weyane must stop to ensure the supremacy of the constitution]

- re-assert their condemnation of all acts of violence or incitement to violence and agree to make all possible efforts to prevent such violence or incitement to violence, to exercise restraint, and seek resolution of all issues through legal and peaceful means only.
[but the opposition has never committed any act of violence...It is the TPLF which is murdering and torturing citizens....Okay....Why doesn't the TPLF stop committing crimes against humanity]

- declare their commitment to the decision-making procedures established by the Proclamation on Electoral law for deciding upon complaints of election irregularities and to abide by them.
[??? Kemal Bedri is president of the the Supreme Court, President of Council for Constitutional Inquiry
and Chairman of NEBE...putting the independence of the board in question...raise a constitutional issue..it goes to Keman and TPLF cadres...raise a legal issue Kemal overturns it....raise a complaint on election Kemal and other TPLF party faithfuls reject it...]
- accept the legal authority of the National Election Board of Ethiopia and the courts in those procedures and commit to abide by the decisions they make on the basis of the authority invested in them by the laws of the country, and refrain from all acts intended to subvert such decisions, without prejudice to their constitutional rights.
[Courts are fake....the highest judicial body, the Supreme Court is Presided by Kemal Bedri the biggest TPLF tool...NEBE another TPLF domain...Thanks to TPLF worshippers appointed by Pope Meles]


- recognise the positive role being played by the Joint Political Party Forum in resolving disputes between the parties in a consensual manner and in enhancing the transparency of the process.
[disputes can be resolved when rights are respected...if the rights of the people are violated every single minute forget the forum]

- note the decision of the NEBE to review and investigate the 299 complaints of electoral irregularities that have been submitted by the political parties.
[....nearly half of opposition claims have been rejected even before they are investigated...besides who dares to say TPLF rigged the election while it is committing acts of terror throughout the country...]


- affirm the need for there to be public confidence and transparency in the decision making procedures.
[TPLF doesn't know transparency... no agreement needed on this]

- express their wish to participate in the review and investigation process.
[if the opposition are free to do so...but supporters and members are being detained and murdered....so whay process?]

- urge international observers to accept the NEBE’s invitation to observe the complaints and results process.
[So far none have been involved in the process]

2. As agreed in the meeting of the Joint Political Party Forum of 30th May 2005, the signatories of this declaration are committed to participate fairly and constructively in the Complaints Investigation Panels to be established by NEBE.

3. Noting the establishment of an ad-hoc Complaints Review Body consisting of legal experts appointed by the NEBE, the signatories request of the NEBE that they are able to participate in hearings so as to provide clarification of existing evidence, prior to the final recommendations of the Complaints Review Body. Such a role is intended to ensure that the Complaints Review Body makes its recommendations with all available information.



4. As the work of the Complaints Review Body has already commenced, the signatories call on the NEBE to urgently and positively respond to these requests.

[3 and 4 are also farcical because of the crimes being committed by the TPLF]

Signed by representatives



On behalf of the EPRDF



On behalf of the UEDF



On behalf of the CUD

Because of the above reasons I'm with Lidetu and urge the opposition to take a much firmer stand on the basics....freedom and liberty...Otherwise the opposition will weaken itself by sgning a document which is empty in content....

Genet
There is nothing wrong with the agreement. It was not b/c of the opposition parties are involved in the violence they signed the non-violence act. The situation at that time should be taken in to consideration to evaluate it. At present, in Ethiopia, the opposition parties are influencial than the ruling party. We can say that the people is,informally,under the direct political leadership of the opposition parties. The agreement shows the opposition has the upper hand on the ruling party by that the ruling party alone can't stable the country unless the opposition involves in peace making process.

Email: belayt01@yahoo.com

City: Addis Ababa

Belay, you are wrong my friend. The agreement was a sellout of the people, especially those were gunned down. I hope the opposition parties will make correction soon.

Tatari,
If I am wrong tell me how?

Email: belayt01@yahoo.com

City: Addis Ababa

Guenet,

First of all signing the agreement des not imply the opposition would not be firm when it comes to respecting the wishes of the people.

Remember, there were people who accused the opposition for participating in the election. Their decision to particpate in the election has propelled the Ethiopn democratic and peacful movement to where it is today. The big looser is EPRDF.

Again their decision to sign the agreement is consistent with the peaceful struggle they have initiated, nurtured and advanced.

Their decision to participate in the election and also to sign the agreement for the sake of giving peace a chance has boght them credibility. Has it occured to you that EPRDF was not too happy to sign and uphold the agreement.

Ragarding Ato Lidetu, his decision was a mistake, but the outcome is good for the peaceful democratic movement. The opposition movement is not a movement of individuals and personalities. It is much bigger than any one individual.

I hope your message would not get support. That would be a dream come true for EPRDF.

Mamo Qilo

Mamo Quilo, I support Genet...Her message was the agreement doesn't reflect the genuine wishes of the people. Their first wish was to live in peace. If the agreement doesn't include a single phrase which says EPRDF/TPLF must stop murdering, maiming, torturing, kidnapping, detaining... the people en mass, it means the 'agreement' was empty in content. How can you conduct an inquiry into vote rigging while massive human rights violations and terrorism is taking place place an agreement to investigate election fraud becomes meaningless, null and void. If the opposition could not have a firm stand against the crimes committed against the people, they will make themselves weaker....I am not against an agreement with TPLF...but I am against an agreement which doesn't mean anything.