Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in Ethiopia; if he has made his concern at reports of human rights abuses known to the Ethiopian authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13012/06]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views of the trial of over 120 opposition leaders, journalists and dissenters in Ethiopia which is ongoing; his views on whether the Government of that nation is effectively engaged in the violent suppression to any form of protest; the actions the EU has taken or plans to take in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13133/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 145 together.

The deterioration in the political and human rights situation in Ethiopia since the May 2005 general election is a matter of serious concern. Ireland, along with our EU partners, continues to emphasise to the Government of Ethiopia, most recently in a meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Meles Zenawi, on 17 January 2006, the need to respect human rights and the rule of law; to strengthen the democratisation process by opening a non-conditional dialogue with all opposition parties and allowing those parties and civil society organisations to operate freely; and to allow the private media operate without restrictions.

Recent positive developments should be noted. An independent investigation commission to examine the June and November 2005 violence was set up by the Ethiopian Parliament in late November and is expected to report back in the near future. An initiative to reform parliamentary rules of procedure and strengthen the role of the opposition is due to be completed within two months. Measures to improve the procedures and increase the capacity of the national election board are expected to be implemented by June 2006. The Prime Minister has indicated that a review of the draft press law should be finalised by June 2006. The European Development Commissioner, Mr. Louis Michel, visited Addis Ababa on 16 and 17 February 2006 and met the imprisoned leadership of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, CUD, opposition party, the first time such access was allowed to a representative of the international community. He also met the Prime Minister twice. It is understood that 141 out of 173 opposition MPs have entered parliament. Dialogue is under way between the Government and two opposition political parties and the majority of detainees arrested during the unrest last November have been released.

However, although the opposition won almost all the seats in the Addis Ababa City Council in June 2005, it remains reluctant to take over this institution as a protest against the detention and trial of the CUD leadership and continuing restrictions on the operations of opposition parties and the private media. On 28 March 2006, the Prime Minister announced that, if the opposition does not assume responsibility for the administration of Addis Ababa by 18 April 2006, a caretaker administration will be appointed and fresh elections held after 12 months. The trial of 129 individuals, some charged in absentia, including the elected leaders of the CUD, journalists, and civil society leaders, began on 23 February 2006. The Ethiopian authorities claim they were responsible for launching and organising the June and November 2005 riots as part of an agenda to overthrow the Government by force. They were charged as a group with treason, genocide and inciting violence.

Ireland, along with its EU partners, has underlined to the Ethiopian Prime Minister the need for the trial to be conducted in a transparent, fair and speedy manner in accordance with international standards. We also called for the release of the detainees on bail as a confidence building measure and for better access to detainees by families, lawyers and the international community. The Prime Minister agreed to an EU request for international observation of the trial and a distinguished international lawyer, Mr. Michael Ellmann, is observing the trial on behalf of the EU. EU embassies in Addis Ababa, including Ireland's, are also monitoring developments. While bail has not been approved, the Prime Minister has indicated that the Ethiopian authorities will do everything they can to ensure the expeditious completion of the trial and that he expects it to be completed within a year. On 22 March 2006, all charges were withdrawn against 18 of the detainees, including nine being tried in absentia, and the prosecutor was instructed by the court to amend the genocide charge. The next hearing is scheduled for 2 May 2006.