The Commissioner for ERREC (Eritrean Refugee Rehabilitation Commission) Ms. Worku Tesfamichael, has called upon Ethiopia to formally acknowledge the "serious violations of human rights it is responsible for." Speaking in response to a statement issued by Ethiopia's spokesperson yesterday, the official said, "It is deceptive for Ethiopia to isolate one--in a train of horrendous violations--and apologize for it as though to negate other atrocities. Let us bear in mind that over fifty thousand Eritreans have been deported after having all their property or any means of livelihood confiscated while thousands of Eritreans continue to languish in prison camps in Ethiopia, including young exchange students. This past week they have been shelling towns and villages like Adi Qwala and Senafe killing civilians in both these areas."

Yesterday Ethiopia's spokesperson issued a statement about the Ethiopian bombardment of Deda Lalai, which killed a family of five, saying, "It sincerely regrets these civilian deaths." Ethiopia's spokesperson placed the blame on Eritrea for "putting the lives of anyone residing there at risk." Ms. Worku said of that allegation, "The apology is entirely insincere. They are now accusing us of placing our civilians under their bombs." The Commissioner said, "They would do better to apologize for their actions over the last nine months. That family in Deda Lalai was there because Ethiopia deported them from across the border, not because we relocated them."