Ethiopian repression

New Internationalist, August, 2005

Security forces in Addis Ababa and several other Ethiopian cities have cracked down hard on demonstrations over alleged fraud in the recent elections. Three dozen unarmed demonstrators were killed in the capital and more than 100 wounded. Across the country the situation may be even worse, with crackdowns reported in Gondar, Dessie, Debre Markos, Bahir Dar and Awassa--mostly towns in the Amharic heartland. According to Human Rights. Watch African director Georgette Gagnon, there is concern over widespread human rights abuse: 'This is especially true for those who have been detained in towns for from the media spotlight that has focused on Addis Ababa.' The Government of Meles Zenawi came to power in opposition to similar policies of repression carried out by the Mengistu regime, which was overthrown in 1991.

Human Rights Watch