Information on whether there was a demonstration coinciding with the visit of UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali in 1993, and if so, on what happened to anyone arrested and on whether there is a list of those arrested [ETH23385.E]

Several sources report that a demonstration was held in Addis Ababa during the visit of UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali in January 1993 (The Weekly Journal 29 Apr. 1993; Africa Research Bulletin 1-31 Jan. 1993, 10864; The Guardian 12 Jan. 1993; Los Angeles Times 6 Jan. 1993; Financial Times 5 Jan. 1993; The Independent 5 Jan. 1993; The Times 5 Jan. 1993; AFP 4 Jan. 1993; AP 4 Jan. 1993). Keesing's, Africa Research Bulletin, the Financial Times, The Independent, The Times, AFP and AP reported that the demonstration took place on 4 January 1993 to protest the UN's involvement in Eritrea's independence referendum (ibid.; Keesing's Jan. 1993, 39255; ARB 1-31 Jan. 1993, 10864; Financial Times 5 Jan. 1993; The Independent 5 Jan. 1993; The Times 5 Jan. 1993; AFP 4 Jan. 1993).

None of these reports mention whether anyone was arrested as a result of the demonstration, which resulted in some injuries and the death of at least one person (ibid.; The Weekly Journal 29 Apr. 1993; Financial Times 5 Jan. 1993; The Independent 5 Jan. 1993; The Times 5 Jan. 1993; AP 4 Jan. 1993). However, reports conflict over how many demonstrators were killed and injured. Some sources reported that as many as seven university students may have been killed when demonstrators were fired upon by police (Financial Times 5 Jan. 1993; The Independent 5 Jan. 1993). The Los Angeles Times reported that "several" university students were killed (6 Jan. 1993), while AP reported that witnesses said "four people died from bullets fired by both sides"(4 Jan. 1993). ARB reported that witnesses claimed 17 people had died (1-31 Jan. 1993, 10864).

According to Country Reports for 1993, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council confirmed one death at the demonstration, "but believes other deaths may have occurred" (1994, 92). This source also states that an unidentified international human rights organization supported students' claims that seven people were killed (ibid.). A government commission to investigate the incident still had not publicized its findings by the end of 1993 (ibid.).

Amnesty International Report 1994 stated that 100 students at Addis Ababa University were arrested during the demonstration which killed one person; however, no other information is provided on those arrested (1994, 130).

For additional information, please consult the attachments and Response to Information Request ETH14597 of 25 June 1993, which is available at Regional Documentation Centres.

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.

References


Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series (ARB) [Oxford]. 1-31 January 1993. Vol. 30, No, 1. "Ethiopia: Anti-Eritrean Protest."

Agence France Presse (AFP). 4 January 1993. "Initial Accord on Ceasefire Commission." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International. 1994. Amnesty International Report 1994. New York: Amnesty International.

The Associated Press (AP). 4 January 1993. Ababe Andualem. "Boutros-Ghali Draws Ethiopia Protest; One Dead, Scores Injured." (NEXIS)

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1993. 1994. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

Financial Times [London]. 5 January 1993. Julian Ozanne and Reuter. "Gunfire Greets Boutros Ghali in Ethiopia." (NEXIS)

The Guardian [London]. 12 January 1993. David Rowan and Martin Woollacott. "Peace Work Never Done; Since the Cold War Ended, the UN Has Been Able to Act More Effectively - But What Should the Role Be Now." (NEXIS)

The Independent [London]. 5 January 1993. "Ethiopian Student Dies in UN Protest." (NEXIS)

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. January 1993. Vol. 39, No. 1. "Ethiopia: Violence During Boutros-Ghali's Visit."

The Los Angeles Times. 6 January 1993. Stanley Meisler. "Somali Leader Rips U.N., Stalls Talks; Peace: But Even As Aidid Belittles World Body, Boutros-Ghali Agrees to Extend Meeting for a Day." (NEXIS)

The Times [London]. 5 January 1993. David Watts and Sam Kiley. "Somalia Remains 'Too Nasty' for Quick US Pullout." (NEXIS)

The Weekly Journal [np]. 29 April 1993. Jonathan Clayton. "Eritrea Set on Path of Hope: Resounding Referendum 'Yes' Vote for Independence Paves Way for Rebuilding After Three Decades of Civil War." (The EthnicNewsWatch/NEXIS)

Attachments

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series (ARB) [Oxford]. 1-31 January 1993. Vol. 30, No, 1. "Ethiopia: Anti-Eritrean Protest." p. 10846.

The Associated Press (AP). 4 January 1993. Ababe Andualem. "Boutros-Ghali Draws Ethiopia Protest; One Dead, Scores Injured." (NEXIS)

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. January 1993. Vol. 39, No. 1. "Ethiopia: Violence During Boutros-Ghali's Visit," p. 39255.
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