Statement by the Press Secretary/ Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Pardon granted to Opposition Leaders and Others in Ethiopia

July 23, 2007

Japan welcomes the news that on 20 July the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia pardoned 38 individuals, including opposition leaders, who were sentenced on 16 July to life imprisonment or to other prison terms for their actions during the disturbances in the wake of the third national elections in 2005.
Japan commends the efforts of the parties concerned, in particular the Ethiopian government and opposition, which resulted in the pardon. Japan hopes that this measure will give momentum to political reforms in Ethiopia.
Japan will continue to cooperate with the democratization efforts in Ethiopia together with international community.

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