Written question asked by John Battle (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 July 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 July 2007. It was answered by Meg Munn (Labour) on Thursday, 5 July 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Ethiopia: Treason

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made by the Government on the progress of the treason trials in Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: We continue to make representations to the Government of Ethiopia to ensure that the trial of opposition political leaders, civil society representatives and journalists is swift, transparent and fair, and that their individual human rights are respected.Our Ambassador in Addis Ababa has raised this with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on several occasions, most recently on 28 June.On 11 June, judges in the trial ruled that those individuals who chose not to defend themselves were all guilty of one or more charges brought against them by the prosecution. Sentencing is scheduled for 9 July. Cases of those who have chosen to defend themselves started on 18 June.We continue to monitor the ongoing trial and urge the government and all political parties in Ethiopia to commit themselves to resolving their differences through dialogue.

Secondary information