ECADF Ethiopian News

A very important meeting on Human Rights Violations in Ethiopia on 15 May 2010 in London

This will be the second in a series of critical discussions calling for a re-examination of how British foreign policy towards Ethiopia may be undermining the political freedom, justice and human rights of the Ethiopian people through its support of a corrupt, apartheid and repressive dictatorship. The question that must be asked is whether long-term British interests are being served and British values being upheld by continuing to support this ethnically-based political party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, which forcibly controls every sector of Ethiopian society. 

As warnings of mounting ethnic tensions increase—particularly in combination with current charges of genocide and ongoing crimes against humanity, the exploitive leasing of agricultural land and rights to natural resources and a national election no one expects to be free or fair—the risk of a possible explosion of ethnic violence multiplies exponentially. Ethiopia is already considered a ‘fragile state.’ Such an eruption could destabilize not only Ethiopia, but the entire Horn of Africa. 

Many Ethiopians believe that British support is prolonging this government, which is considered an illegitimate regime after hijacking the last election, killing protestors and imprisoning the opposition. Do British policy-makers dare ignore such signs by continuing to align with a dictator accused of genocide and crimes against humanity rather than the people of Ethiopia who only seek the same freedoms that the British enjoy? How might British policies instead empower a democratic movement already alive in the country? These are the issues that will be explored at this second meeting.

For details of the meeting, please click here. It will lead you to the poster.

For any additional information please contact: adesta@hotmail.com

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