Press Release

The Ethiopian Women for Peace and Development (EWPD) is delighted about the release of the political prisoners in Ethiopia and the restoration of their political rights. We commend the political prisoners and the government for taking a positive step towards solvng the political problems of the country. Negotiation, dialogue and compromise are the route towards a lasting peace in our country.

We thank the elders who have worked hard and negotiated the release of the political prisoners. We also thank the international community and the different human rights organizations that have spoken strongly against the imprisonment of the opposition leaders, journalists and human right activists.

Building on this momentum, dialogue for serious political reconciliation with all opposition parties and organizations should begin. We appeal to the Ethiopian government to release all other political prisoners. The political tensions have to ease. The past should be behind us and we should focus to avoid political turmoil, war and famine that damaged our country for decades.

So much has to be done to bring Ethiopia to the 21st century. As we celebrate the end of our 2nd millennium in September 2007, let us commit ourselves to work together to establish a peaceful and just society. The beginning of the third millennium should be years of progress towards good governance, democracy and development.

Executive Committee of EWPD
July 21, 2007

EWPD is a non-partisan Ethiopian women’s organization created in 1991 in Washington, DC.

Ethiopian Women for Peace and Development (EWPD)
5505 Connecticut Avenue, #259, Washington, DC 20015
www.ewpd.info * [email protected]