1) Detailed information on the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the groups or organizations for which it was responsible, and its relationship with the Kebelles; 2) Information on the role of the Ministry in Eritrea and Tigray; 3) Information on the Ministry's role in the resettlement and collectivization programs in the north and other parts of the country [ETH10315]

The information contained in this response was provided by the Chargé d'affaires at the Embassy of Ethiopia in Ottawa and a Professor of Political Science at the University of Montana, who specializes in Ethiopian affairs, during telephone interviews with the IRBDC (13 Feb. 1992). The Chargé d'affaires and the Professor of Political Science both concurred that the Ministry of the Interior was (and is) in charge of the internal security apparatus including the police, prisons, and the intelligence service. The Chargé d'affaires added that in the previous regime, the Ministry of the Interior was also responsible for protecting the government against those whom it deemed "anti-revolutionary". Such people, he further clarified, would be killed. The Chargé d'affaires explained that Kebelles were responsible for the arrest of petty criminals such as thieves; they reported to the police but had no direct contact with the Ministry of the Interior. Country Reports for Human Rights Practices 1979 (1980) corroborates this by stating that "the power of arrest of neighbourhood associations (Kebelles) is not subject to any formal controls but they are required to report to a higher authority the names of persons held for over 24 hours." The Chargé d'affaires emphasized that the Ministry of the Interior has changed personnel but its structure, responsibilities and functions remain intact.

2) The Chargé d'affaires and the Professor of Political Science both agreed that as the Ministry responsible for Internal Security, the Ministry of the Interior was heavily involved in the fighting that took place in Eritrea and Tigray. The Chargé d'affaires added that the Ministry of the Interior regarded Tigray and Eritrea as enemies of the revolution.

3) The role of the Ministry of the Interior in the resettlement and collectivization programs in the north and other parts of the country is currently unavailable to the IRBDC in Ottawa. The Chargé d'affaires insisted that the Central Government and regional administrators played a big role in this exercise. Documentation Réfugiés (31 Aug.-9 Sept. 1990) states that "certains gouvernements et organismes d'aide occidentaux ont prêté leur appui au programme de reinstallation." For further information on this topic please refer to the attached document.

Bibliography


Embassy of Ethiopia, Ottawa. 13 February 1992. Telephone Interview with Chargé d'affaires.

University of Montana, Missoula. 13 February 1992. Telephone Interview with Professor of Political Science.

Documentation-Réfugiés [Paris]. 31 August-9 September 1990."éthiopie," p. 16.

Attachment

Documentation-Réfugiés [Paris]. 31 August-9 September 1990. "Ethiopie," p. 16.