Ethiopia reacts fiercely to US human right report
May 19, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia on Monday dismissed a human right report by the U.S State Department, which accuses Ethiopia of violating human and political rights of citizens.
“The state department report is based on hearsay and lies” Bereket Simon, Minister for government communication Affairs office blasts the report in a news conference.
“The report doesn’t have grain of truth and we fully reject it” he added.
The 2008 human rights report by the U.S. government accuses the Meles Zenawi ruling party (EPRDF) and government of killing, arresting, intermediating and restricting rights of opposition members.
Bereket said the report was based on claims from NGOs and opposition groups, who would rather die than tell the fact on the ground.
“The Ethiopian government should have been consulted ahead of releasing a baseless allegation” he said.
But Donald Yamamoto, US ambassador to Ethiopia said necessary contacts have been made with government officials.
“We have talked to Ethiopian government officials and we stand by our report” he told Reuters reporter.
The minister further said in nations like Ethiopia where democracy is young, you cannot absolutely be free of mistakes but such a complete fictions and unfounded reports are unacceptable.
Ethiopia is US key alley against fight on terrorism in the horn of Africa region.
“This doesn’t reflect any bad relationship between Ethiopia and the United States” Berekt underscored adding “the nation will welcome any one to engage in a constructive dialogue as long as it is accompanied with accurate information about the possible abuses in our country”.
Recently Ethiopia has come under fire with reports accusing the nation of human right violations to which it denies all.
Last week human rights watch accused Ethiopia saying the recent arrest to 46 opposition members is political motivated and in line to blood relation.
The opposition Ginbot 7 members were arrested last month accused of plot to series of assassinations against government officials and bombing public facilities.
(ST)