December 05, 2005

NEWS : INTERNATIONAL
Abuses continue in Ethiopia, supposedly model African state
12/05/2005 - 12:00

Abuses continue in Ethiopia, supposedly model African state

A European Union report due out shortly is expected to pinpoint serious irregularities in last May's disputed elections, which were followed by the arrest of Zenawi's political opponents and mass detentions.

As Inigo Gilmore from Channel 4 reminds, Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has, until recently, been regarded in the West as one of a new breed of African leaders - picked by Tony Blair to draft his Commission for Africa report on how to reduce poverty and promote democracy on the continent.

But Gilmore points out thath a European Union report due out shortly is expected to pinpoint serious irregularities in last May's disputed elections, which were followed by the arrest of Zenawi's political opponents and mass detentions.

23 opposition leaders now face possible treason charges. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Channel Four News, Meles Zenawi has defended the actions of his security forces.

But - as Inigo Gilmore reports from the capital, Addis Ababa - allegations of human rights abuses continue to grow, calling into question the future of foreign aid to Ethiopia.

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