UNPO: Oromo Demo against Ethiopia rights abuses and environmental degradation

UNPO PRESS RELEASE: OROMO DEMONSTRATION TO URGE FOR GREATER ACTION AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN ETHIOPIA


Brussels, 20 May 2009 – In two days Oromos who have fled Ethiopia will bring to the heart of Europe an appeal for the United State, United Kingdom, and European Union to present a united front and urge the Ethiopian government to protect the country’s environment and the human rights of its citizens from irresponsible corporate activity.

The appeal comes as Ethiopia’s land and water face more and more stress from a growing economy and cities that are swelling with new workers.  The economy is expanding as investment in the flower, leather, and agricultural sectors draws, arguably unsustainably, on Ethiopia’s valuable human and natural resources.

Legislation exists to protect the Ethiopian environment but it is frequently unenforced or circumvented, to the detriment of workers’ lives and those of their dependents.  The demonstration will therefore call on the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union to ensure that their companies observe international standards in their Ethiopian operations and that the Ethiopian government enforces its legislative obligations.

The demonstration will be held on Friday 22 May 2009 and will begin at the Schuman metro station from 10.00am before moving to the European Commission (Berlaymont Building), Place Jean Rey, British Embassy and the American Embassy where activists will stay until 1.00pm.
 
Note: There will be media opportunities during the demonstration and activists with first-hand experience of the situation in Ethiopia will be available for comment.
 

Event Summary   22 May 2009   10.00am   1.00pm  
Rond-point Schuman Brussels   American Embassy Brussels
aswan [@]unpo.org
For media enquiries, please contact  
Mr. D.  Gabissa   +32 (0) 485 597 255 / hgabissa [@] yahoo. com