Crackdown on Dissent in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian government is cracking down on protests against possible fraud in the May 15 parliamentary elections. Human Rights Watch reported yesterday that police have arrested several thousand people in the capital, Addis Ababa, and nine other cities.

Last Wednesday, government security forces responded to rock-throwing protesters by opening fire on large crowds, killing at least 36 people and wounding more than 100. The Ethiopian government blames the opposition group Coalition for Unity and Democracy for fomenting the unrest. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi justified the decision to monitor opposition leaders

* Prime Minister Meles Zenawi:
"When these people incited the violence and had their tickets ready to leave the country, that I think its stretching too far, so we have said you are not leaving while you are inciting violence and stoking fires here, they have been under police surveillance just in case we need to detain them, if things get hotter they will be detained without any question, if that is intimidation so be it but I think we have bent back more than any country I know of would be willing to do."

On Sunday, police shot dead newly-elected opposition lawmaker Tesfaye Aden Jara. Officials said six police officers have been arrested in connection with the killing. The European Union mediated an agreement Tuesday between the main political parties so that all parties can play a role in the investigation of election complaints. Following the agreement, opposition leader Hailu Shawel was released from house arrest.

* Chris Albin-Lackey, researcher in the Africa division of Human Rights Watch. He was in Ethiopia leading up to the May 15 elections.

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