Ethiopian Political Violence

The United States deplores the political violence in Ethiopia and urges all parties to prevent actions that could directly or indirectly incite violence, harm individuals, or lead to the destruction of public or private property.

The Ambassadors of the United States and European Union issued a statement in Addis Ababa on November 6, 2005 that offers a way ahead to defuse the current situation and allows the political opposition to play a meaningful role in Ethiopian political life. The United States calls on the Government of Ethiopia to take the actions outlined in that statement.

We particularly note the need to end lethal force, random searches, indiscriminate beatings and arrests; to release political detainees; to grant immediate access by families, legal counsel, and the ICRC or other representative of the international community to jailed opposition party, civil society, and media leaders; to review and revise parliamentary practices and rules to ensure the opposition has an effective voice; to establish an independent commission to investigate death and injuries sustained in the June 8 and recent events; and to reopen private media and establish by all parties a code of conduct to ensure balance and responsible flow of information.

2005/1052