- The Government deplores that innocent people have been killed in the recent clashes between police and demonstrators in Addis Abeba and is deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Ethiopia, said State Secretary Raymond Johansen. - We strongly deplore what we consider to be excessive use of violence by the police and would like to stress that it is the responsibility of the Ethiopian authorities to do everything in their power to prevent demonstrations from leading to clashes and violence with such deeply tragic results as those we have seen here.”

State Secretary Johansen also deplored the fact that the Ethiopian authorities have arrested the entire leadership of the country’s largest opposition party, the CUD, and representatives of the trade unions and the media. - The authorities’ dismissal of any dialogue with the CUD appears to be aggravating the situation. The Ethiopian authorities have a particular responsibility to contribute to a peaceful resolution of the political conflict. I therefore strongly urge the Ethiopian Government to release the arrested politicians and immediately resume dialogue with the CUD, as also advocated by the Chair of the African Union, Professor Alpha Oumar Konaré, said Mr Johansen.

“The reports of mass arrests and human rights violations give reason to seriously question future democratic development in the country. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is following developments closely and will on an ongoing basis consider their possible consequences for our co-operation with Ethiopia. We will be expressing our concern about the situation to the Ethiopian authorities,” said the State Secretary.