Ethiopia slams HRW over report

2009-07-04 13:00

Addis Ababa - Ethiopia has criticised the Human Rights Watch over its report that the country's draft anti-terrorism law would violate human rights.

"HRW's so-called analysis is replete with harsh generalisations," Ethiopia's foreign ministry said in a statement Friday.

"It cannot be considered a credible commentary on compatibility of the draft law with Ethiopia's human rights obligations."

The US-based watchdog on Tuesday said the law, currently before parliament, broadly defined terrorism, risked muzzling political speech and encouraging unfair trials.

The law presented by the government of President Meles Zenawi is to counter the activities of some separatist groups.

In recent months, Ethiopia's parliament has passed a series of laws tightening up on the activities of non-governmental organisations, associations and the local media, while most political opponents are in prison or living in exile.

- AFP