Mengistu's Empty "Democracy"

This newsletter examines the promises of reform held out by the Ethiopian government one year ago, and assesses whether these promises have been fulfilled. Africa Watch considers that few promises were made in the way of increased respect for civil and political rights, and that the small improvements promised in freedom of association have not in fact been delivered. The Ethiopian government has made no serious attempt to increase respect for human rights, and in important areas such as freedom of information and the independence of the judiciary, it has not even made the most basic gestures of intent concerning reform.