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Ana Gomes calls for fresh elections in Ethiopia

May 16, 2007 (AV) Chief of the European observation mission in the May 2005 elections and Member of the European Parliament Ms Ana Gomes has condemned Western governments which have turned blind eyes to the atrocities and human rights violations being committed by the Meles regime and called for fresh elections and national reconciliation to end the continuing political crisis in Ethiopia.

 “We are not satisfied at all with the behaviour of the European Council and individual European governments. They are turning blind eyes to major violations of human rights in Ethiopia,” she told Deutsche Welle yesterday. The MEP said that despite its streak of violations of the rule of law, democracy and its own constitution, Western governments continue to provide support to the Meles regime.

Ana Gomes also criticized the Bush administration for its complicity in the invasion of Somalia and the subsequent atrocities being perpetrated by the regime.  

“What is happening on the contrary is that they are supporting a regime that is not giving development, democracy and respect for human rights to the people of Ethiopia and the neighbouring countries,” she said.

Ms Ana Gomes called for another free and fair democratic elections that should be observed up to the conclusion of the vote count as a solution to resolve the current political crisis. She emphasised the need for an all inclusive national reconciliation among political and community leaders under a democratic arrangement.

She went on to demanded the unconditional and immediate release of all political prisoners who have been detained in relation to the ill-fated election. .

Ana Gomes also said that the European Union should put in place a mechanism that can ensure humanitarian and financial assistance is not misused by the Ethiopian government for the purpose of violating human rights and invading neighbouring countries. She pointed out that MEPs have urged for punitive measures against Meles Zenawi and senior government officials that include travel restrictions and freezing of their assets in European countries.