http://www.voanews.com/a/human-rights-watch-urges-europe-to-take-strong-action-against-ethiopia/3547452.html
HRW Urges Europe to Take Strong Action Against Ethiopia
October 12, 2016 10:51 AM
Marthe van der Wolf
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FILE - Ethiopian soldiers try to stop protesters in Bishoftu, in the
Oromia region of Ethiopia.
At a European Parliament subcommittee meeting on human rights and
development, Human Rights Watch called on the European Union and
international community to take strong action against Ethiopia.
The international community has largely looked the other way when it
comes to human rights abuses and limits to the freedom of expression
in Ethiopia, according to international human rights groups.
HRW senior researcher Felix Horne says he believes there is an
unwillingness to address hard issues with Ethiopia because it has
strong relationships with its international allies on development,
migration and security.
“The European Union should be taking much stronger action on Ethiopia,
should be pushing for an international investigation; it should be
pushing for special U.N. investigators to be allowed into the country
- 11 of which have outstanding invites," Horne said. " And it should
be pushing Ethiopia to release all of those arbitrarily detained
during the protests.”
Protests for wider political freedoms have been ongoing and led to the
Ethiopian government's recent declaration of a six-month state of
emergency for the first time in more than 20 years. Ethiopia is the
largest recipient of EU assistance. The European Union adopted a
resolution last January condemning violence used by Ethiopian security
forces.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, is welcomed by Ethiopia's Prime
Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, as she arrives at the national palace
in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Oct. 11, 2016.
Merkel visit criticized
German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Ethiopia this week. Although
she refused to speak at the Ethiopian parliament for its lack of
opposition members, she urged the government to open up the political
space.
EU Parliament member Ana Gomes led an observer mission during
Ethiopia's contested and bloody 2005 elections. She describes Merkel's
decision to go to Ethiopia as regrettable.
“It was important the message she passed that indeed there must be
dialogue and open space for opposition and activists and critics of
the government to exist," Gomes said. " That is a weak message
nevertheless, because of course Germany has tremendous
responsibilities in the position of the EU toward Ethiopia.”
People in Ethiopia's Oromia region started protesting an urban
expansion plan last year.
The demonstrations have spread across the country and led to more than
500 deaths, according to rights groups. Ethiopia said this week
foreign groups are stoking unrest in an attempt to overthrow the
government.
Received on Wed Oct 12 2016 - 13:32:49 EDT