June 8, 2005

AMBASSADORS DONOR GROUP AND EU STATEMENT

The Ambassadors Donor Group and the EU would like to express their grave concern about the events that occurred in educational institutions in Addis Ababa on Monday June 6 and on Tuesday, June 7 and the arrest of many students and other civilians.

The Ambassadors Donor Group and the EU expect the government and its security forces to show utmost restraint in handling peaceful demonstrations by civil society and to uphold international principles of human rights.

Without prejudice to their rights under the law, the Ambassadors Donor Group and the EU urge all parties to avoid confrontation and to resolve their differences peacefully within the framework of Ethiopia's constitution, democratic institutions and laws and to await the outcome of the elections. The Ambassadors Donor Group and the EU cannot condone violence nor incitement to violence nor incitement to racial hatred, nor condone any party which resorts to violent or illegal or non-constitutional actions.

The Ambassadors Donor Group and the EU remain committed to continue to play their role in supporting the transparency and credibility of the democratic process in Ethiopia in the final stages of the election and call on all parties to play a responsible and constructive role in ensuring the election process is completed peacefully.

 This statement is endorsed by:

 Austria

Belgium

Canada

Czech Republic

Denmark

EU Delegation

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Holy See

IMF

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Netherlands

Portugal

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

United Kingdom

United States