Addis Ababa – Minister for Government Communication Affaires Office Bereket Simon said the US State Department Report on the Human Right Situation in Ethiopia is full of lies and hypocrisy.

The Minister said government looks the human right issues seriously since it is striving to reign democratic order in the country.

In a press conference he gave to foreign journalists here on Monday in connection with government’s response to the report Bereket said the report is found to be fictitious and unfounded.

The flawed report used incredible sources that include opposition parties, NGOs and anonymous but it has never consulted or tried to treat government’ position, he said.

What a pity, Bereket said the report mentioned terrorist attacks occurred in different parts of the country but it didn’t mention the perpetrators, it just claims the Ethiopian government, he noted.

The report is based on baseless allegations, which could not advance the cause for human right issues in the country.

However, he said the Ethiopian government investigated thoroughly the report case by case and responded publicly.

The Ethiopian government chooses to defend itself against a smear campaign cloaked under human rights concern not because it believes that Ethiopia’s emerging democratic order is perfect, he said.

An emerging democracy might not be free from mistakes but baseless allegation is not constructive and trustworthy, he said.

The minister said any criticisms based on concrete facts are welcomed by the government in which he said it is interested to engage in such constructive dialogue.

The report is full of lies and hearsays, he said “it doesn’t have grain of truth.”

Asked about the political space is narrowing in Ethiopia, Bereket responded that some 31 parties had participated in the previous by and national elections.

The nation has vibrant parliament where opposition parties has been accorded very wide chances including opposition parties day, questions and answer session with the Prime Minister and various Ministers.

Moreover, he said various negotiations have also been held with opposition parties including on media and electoral laws as well as parliamentary rules.

Hence, the fact on the ground attests that the political space in Ethiopia is not narrowing down to the contrary it is being widened, he underscored.

- ENA

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