Political parties urged to renounce violence

The European Union and the United States appealed on Thursday for the peaceful resolution of disputes stemming from the 15 May national elections in Ethiopia. "All parties should renounce all use of violence, inflammatory, defamatory or ethnic hate messages via the media or Internet, and any other action that is likely to further increase tension in Ethiopia," they said in a statement. "The European Union and the United States expect all political parties and the government to abide by the political process through parliamentary and constitutional means to resolve this election crisis," the statement added. The statement came after a human rights group estimated that at least 40 people were killed during post election violence. On 15 June, Britain froze 20 million Pounds Sterling (US $35 million) in aid due to the unrest that followed the post-election violence. Some 524 seats were contested during the election. The ruling Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and opposition groups were virtually neck and neck after the release of partial official election results last week. With just over half the results released, the EPRDF had taken 139 seats while the main opposition group, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy had won 93 seats. Another opposition group, the United Ethiopian Democratic Front, held 42 seats. Twenty-three seats are due to be contested during elections in Ethiopia’s Somali Region in August, The National Electoral Board is investigating complaints of election violations in 140 constituencies, and is holding hearings of complaints in another 180 constituencies where original complaints were rejected but political parties have appealed. "All dissenting views need to be registered and the personal safety of witnesses ensured," the EU and the US said. "Where there are procedural or other problems, these need to be addressed swiftly and constructively." It added: "We urge the government to respect international principles of human rights by exercising due process and releasing detained party members and party supporters who are not going to be charged."