Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 66: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had contact with his Ethiopian counterpart with regard to the political situation in that country, following elections held there in summer 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19548/06]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 162: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the political and security situation in Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19546/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 162 together.

The deterioration in the political and human rights situation in Ethiopia since the May 2005 general election remains a matter of serious concern. Ireland, along with our EU partners, continues to emphasise to the Government of Ethiopia 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.

Steps have been taken within Ethiopia towards addressing the situation. These include an independent investigation commission to examine the June and November 2005 violence set up by the Ethiopian Parliament in late November and which is expected to report shortly. An initiative to reform parliamentary rules of procedure and strengthen the role of the opposition has also been undertaken. It is understood that a majority of opposition MPs have now entered parliament. Dialogue is under way between the Government and two opposition political parties, not including the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) whose leaders are currently on trial. The majority of detainees arrested during the unrest last November have been released.

While these positive developments should be welcomed, with our EU and international partners we continue to communicate our concerns to the Government of Ethiopia, at both the political and official levels. I wrote to Prime Minister Meles on 15 February to express his concerns and, in particular, to raise the ongoing detention of opposition political leaders. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by Dr Michael Woods, T.D., visited Ethiopia from 1-5 May. The delegation met with Prime Minister Meles as well as with opposition leaders including imprisoned CUD leaders, members of civil society and human rights organisations. I understand that a report on the visit is being prepared. Furthermore, it is likely that the Minister for Foreign Affairs will visit Ethiopia in July.

The trial of 129 individuals including the elected leaders of the CUD, journalists, and civil society leaders began on 23 February 2006. They have been charged as a group with treason, genocide and inciting violence. On 22 March 2006, all charges were withdrawn against 18 of the detainees, including 9 being tried in absentia, and the prosecutor was instructed by the court to amend the genocide charge.

The EU 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 is observing the trial on behalf of the EU, as are EU Embassies in Addis Ababa, including Ireland. 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.

As regards security, Addis Ababa has experienced a number of bomb attacks in recent months, the most recent of which earlier this month resulted in four fatalities. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Embassy in Addis Ababa is liaising closely with Irish citizens in Ethiopia and has advised them to exercise caution and keep a low profile at present.