European Parliament calls for “inter-Ethiopian dialogue”

The European Parliament has called on the Ethiopian government to hold an inquiry into the conduct of its police and security forces. In a resolution adopted on 17 May on human rights in Ethiopia, the parliament condemned “the disproportionate and excessive use of police violence” and called for the immediate release of detained opposition politicians and human rights activists.

Referring to the actions of police and security forces during the 17 and 18 April riots in Addis Ababa, the resolution said the excessive use of force to put an end to student protests may weaken the rule of law, and detract from Ethiopia’s image abroad. The parliament called for the holding of a general “inter-Ethiopian dialogue”, with all the opposition groups, including armed movements and representatives of civil society, in order to “achieve a peaceful resolution to the country’s political, economic and social problems.”