London–Ethiopians in London hold a vigil and demonstration against the ongoing crimes being committed by the Ethiopian government which includes the rounding up of journalists and opposition political leaders.

The protesters have strongly condemned the arrest of  journalists, Eskinder Nega, Woubshet Taye, Reyot Alemu, Sileshi Hagos; senior opposition leaders of the Unity for Democracy and Justice party, Andualem Arage, Nathnael Mekonnen, Asmamaw Birhanu,  an executive with the Oromo People’s Congress party,  Olbana Lelissa, Bekele Gerba, a lecturer at Addis Ababa University and deputy chairman of the Oromo Federal Democratic Movement, Zemene Molla, secretary general of the Ethiopian National Democratic party, a former CUD member,  a human rights activist and a prominent actor Debebe Eshetu and many others on accusations of terrorism-related activities.

The demonstration, organized by the Network against Repression and Injustice in Ethiopia and held for three hours in front of the Ethiopian Embassy in London, 17 Princes Gate, has demanded the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Ethiopia with an immediate action to end the crackdown on dissent.

Since March 2011 more than 100 opposition party leaders, politicians and journalists that strongly criticize and comment on the misguided policies and practices of the minority ethnic rule of PM Meles Zenawi have been rounded up and detained in Ethiopia, all accused of "terrorism” related activities.

Ethiopian opposition political parties, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, CPJ and Reporters without Borders including few MPs in Germany and in Sweden have denounced the repressive actions of the Ethiopian government.

Michelle Kagari, Deputy Director for Africa at Amnesty International, has expressed her concern that, "The Ethiopian authorities are using counter-terrorism measures to stifle dissent. It is not plausible that countless members of the political opposition and independent journalists are engaged in terrorist activities. It seems the Ethiopian authorities are intent on destroying the last vestiges of free expression in Ethiopia.”

The demonstrators voiced their anger regarding the ongoing imprisonment of government critics’ under false charges of "terrorism” intentionally targeted to silence the Ethiopian people from demanding their political and economic rights.

It has been months since the EPRDF government in Ethiopia has fallen into a political turmoil due to fear of public unrest that may explode as a result of the severe economic crisis, political repression, and corruption.

The protesters held various slogans and chanted: "Enough to tyranny, dictatorship, ethnic rule, injustice, massacre and corruption in Ethiopia; the Era of tyranny is over; No development under repression, Free All Political Prisoners, One people, one nation, one Ethiopia…”

Furthermore, the protesters have created awareness among passers-by British tax payers that their contribution is being in use to fund political repression and tyranny in Ethiopia.

The protesters have also expressed their anger regarding the regime’s move to force the Ethiopian people to abandon the country’s symbol of unity, long historic of independence and patriotic flag.  They have clearly pronounced their rejection of the flag introduced by the ruling party as it rather degrades the quest for national pride, freedom and sovereignty of the nation and its people.

Thus, the protesters have cut out the star with the rays from the middle of the traditional flag and set the piece on fire along with the picture of tyrant Meles Zenawi.

Mr. Zelalem Tessema, member of the Network against Repression and Injustice in Ethiopia, London Group and coordinator of the demonstration has pointed out that it is a critical time that Ethiopians everywhere need to strongly fight against the repressive regime