TNAG-1066-FCO40-1316-Human-rights-in-Hong-Kong-1981 — Page 196

E/CN.4/1503

Annex II page 13

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numbers of people from central parts of the country, notably Wollo administrative region (repeatedly affected by drought) are being transferred to lands the Oromos and Somalis tradition- ally considered theirs. Centuries which have inculcated built-in resistance to change are proving difficult to counter- act.

The Government strenuously attempts to identify those sympathizing with the liberation movements in order to elimin- ate all opposition to official policies.

37.

Another guerrila group opposing the central Government is the Tigre People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which in 1978 suffered major reverses but has since recovered and has con- tinued to operate. Peoples of the northern province of Tigre, already impoverished by adverse conditions of the past includ- ing the famine of 10 years ago, have been buffeted about by the military activities of the opposing forces, many driven towards the Sudan border which not a few have crossed to find refuge from the ongoing violence.

38. Over and above these impediments to peace and social progress, the onslaught of drought conditions has affected much of the country. The economy, adversely affected inter alia by the dislocations of war and of internal conflict, has a GNP of no more than about $ 130 per capita (1979 figure).

39. At the

time, violations of human rights other than those implicit in the foregoing paragraphs have been reported by Amnesty International and other groups committed to fur- thering respect for human rights. Among the alleged violations have been a persecution campaign against the non-orthodox Protestant churches, persecution of the Falasha Jews and the torture and disappearances of political prisoners.

40. The Governments concerned have at various times referred to the causes of uprooting and of flight from Ethiopia. Replying to a communication from the Special Rapporteur, the Government of Ethiopia stated that

Ethiopia stated that in its view the Government of Somalia's claim to be sheltering 1.5 million refugees from Ethiopia was "propaganda" and "fabrication", suggesting that Somalia had "changed its war-wounded, orphans and widows into 'refugees'

to provoke international sympathy and secure food, financial and other assistance." The letter went on to say:

"The presence of Ethiopians

of Ethiopians in neighbouring Sudan must be viewed in relation to the war of secession that has been going on in Northern Ethiopia and which has been encouraged, financed and armed by some governments that are bent on creating disharmony in the country and on depriving Ethiopia of its historic outlet to the Red Sea.