EU Annual Report on Human Rights 2007

EU Annual Report on Human Rights 2007

See the full report here

Paragraphs on Ethiopia below

Respect for human rights and the rule of law, and the promotion of multi-party democracy, are key concerns in relations with Ethiopia. The EU has called on the government to stop the harassment of the opposition and civil society organizations, and to carry out a permanent and inclusive dialogue with the opposition to implement democratic provisions in practice. Concern has also been expressed about the freedom of the press, government interference in the operation of private media, and the high numbers of detained journalists. The EU has also remained worried about the human rights situation related to internal conflicts such as in the Ogaden, and about the difficulties encountered by human rights defen

The trial against opposition leaders, newspaper editors and journalists, and representatives of civil society organizations was followed with special attention. EU representatives in Addis Ababa have regularly raised the situation of the detainees with the Ethiopian government, on occasions directly with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in the framework of the political dialogue based on Article 8 of the Cotonou agreement. They have pressed for information on the whereabouts of the detainees to be given to the families and to ensure their access to legal counsel and humanitarian treatment.

They have also expressed to the Ethiopian authorities their deep concern about the trial, including the weakness of the evidence presented against the accused. An independent observer, funded by a Member State, has followed the trial on behalf of the EU since its beginning, together with representatives of the diplomatic community.

See the full report here
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cmsUpload/st13288-re01.en07.pdf