The following information was obtained in 4 March 1997 telephone interview with a professor of political science specializing in Eritrean and Ethiopian politics at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The professor stated that she is not aware of any parttern of systematic repression by the Ethiopian authorities of Issa women or women from other clans. However, the source added that one can not exclude the possibility that there were local incidents in which some police force members committed human rights abuses against women including harassment and rape. Such incidents were particularly frequent among women suspected of collaborating with armed opposition groups or whose family members belonged to such groups (ibid.).

Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Professor of political science specializing I Eritrean and Ethiopian politics, University of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri. 4 March 1997. Telephone interview.

Africa Confidential [London]. 1996 to present.

Africa Research Bulletin [London]. 1996.

Amnesty International Reports. 1996.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1996. 1997.

DIRB Ethiopia Country File. 1996 to present.

Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 1996 to present.

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. 1996.

Huma Rights Watch World Reports. 1996-1997.

On-line search of media sources.

Unsuccessful attempts to reach other oral sources.