Canada preoccupied with violence in Ethiopia: FM

Nov 3 , 2005 (OTTAWA) — Canada urged Ethiopian authorities Thursday to conduct an immediate independent investigation into deadly demonstrations and to release political prisoners.

“Canada calls on all parties to engage in an open and peaceful dialogue in a spirit of political reconciliation to promote a functioning, multi-party parliamentary democracy in Ethiopia,” Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew said in a statement.

“We have communicated our views to the Ethiopian government and have urged it to conduct an independent investigation into the recent killings as well as the ones that occurred last June following the elections,” he said.

At least 42 people protesting the May election results have been killed and more than 200 wounded in clashes with police in recent days in Addis Ababa. Security forces have also arrested and detained several opposition leaders and supporters.

In June, at least 37 people were killed in riots in the Ethiopian capital.

“Canada also calls for, as essential elements of the reconciliation process in Ethiopia, the immediate release of political detainees and the due process of all others detained,” Pettigrew said.

(AFP)