The Ethiopian government is waging a sustained attack on its opponents in the run-up to an election on May 23rd, US-based Human Rights Watch says according to BBC online Thursday.
The group accuses the ruling EPRDF party of using its control of local government to withhold services and job opportunities from political opponents. The activists also said new laws had severely restricted the activities of activist groups and journalists. Government officials said the claims were ridiculous and outrageous.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi was hailed as one of a new generation of democratic African leaders in the 1990s, but rights groups have increasingly accused him of cracking down on his critics.
One of the country’s most prominent independent newspapers – the weekly Addis Neger – was closed in November.
And last week Mr Zenawi admitted to jamming transmis-sions from the Voice of America’s Amharic language service, accusing it of broadcasting “destabilising propaganda”.
– Expressing dis-sent is very dan-gerous in Ethiopia, said Georgette Gagnon, Human Rights Watch Africa director, adding:
– The ruling party and the state are becoming one and the government is using the full weight of its power to eliminate opposition and intimidate people.
