EU delegation condemns Ethiopian domestic worker suicide

The EU delegation on Friday expressed “deep regret” for “the tragic death of Ms. Alem Dechassa, a domestic worker of Ethiopian origin, and extends its condolences to the relatives of the deceased, a statement issued by the EU read.”“We call on the Lebanese authorities to fully investigate the circumstances of the violence and rights violations perpetrated against Ms. Dechassa and to bring those responsible to justice,” the statement added.The EU delegation also said that Dechassa’s death highlighted once again the urgent need to improve the protection mechanisms and legal framework governing the rights of migrant workers in Lebanon.Last week, Dechassa committed suicide at the Deir as-Salib mental health clinic where she hadbeen hospitalized.LBC television had broadcast a video showing the woman lying in a bush on the side of the street, moaning and crying as a group of men stood over her. The video then shows a man shoving the women into his car against her will. Source (NOW Lebanon)

Ethiopia carried out more attacks on rebel targets in Eritrea-govt

Ethiopian troops have carried out more attacks on Ethiopian rebels inside Eritrea on Saturday, a day after Eritrea urged United Nations action against Ethiopia for a previous attack inside its territory. "We've carried out further attacks on targets inside Eritrea. This time it's in the north section around Badme," a senior Ethiopian government official told Reuters on Saturday. "We were once again successful. This strike was part of our plan to take proportional measures that included the attacks in Eritrea's southeast." Ethiopia announced on Thursday its troops raided three military bases in Eritrea which it said were used by Ethiopian rebels, several weeks after accusing the Eritrean government of planning to kidnap Western tourists. The official did not give details about who the troops targeted, but said Ethiopia's government would make a more detailed announcement later in the day. Source ( Reuters)

Ethiopia sues Lebanese man over beating of domestic worker

The Ethiopian consulate in Lebanon has filed suit against Ali Mahfouz, the man who was caught on tape beating domestic worker Alem Dechasa outside her consulate. Dechasa, 33, committed suicide Wednesday. Asaminew Debelie Bonssa, Ethiopia’s consul general in Lebanon, told The Daily Star Thursday that “we have already sued him [Ali Mahfouz].” He declined to give the details of the lawsuit, saying it was “a legal issue that cannot be made public,” adding that the suit was in process before the consulate was aware of Dechasa’s death but that with this development “everyone is expecting something out of this.” In a video released by LBCI last week, Dechasa was seen moaning as a man, later identified as Mahfouz, beat and tried to force her into a car outside the Ethiopian consulate, aided by another man. Security and judicial sources told The Daily Star that Mahfouz was briefly arrested last week, but was released after leaving his address with the magistrate. They were not able to immediately confirm the consulate’s lawsuit. Bonssa said that he has not received any police or medical report regarding Dechasa’s death, but said “we need the whole autopsy as [is] internationally acceptable,” adding that this was necessary especially given “when somebody dies ... under the care of the hospital it is really unexpected.” Dechasa was taken to the Psychiatrique de la Croix Hospital, known as Deir al-Salib, after the incident around three weeks ago. She died in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Bonssa said doctors told him she hanged herself using her bed sheets.Mahfouz told LBC that Dechasa had attempted suicide three times. The hospital declined to comment, citing privacy concerns. Source (The daily Star )

Ethiopian domestic worker beaten on camera commits suicide

The full incident of the video is on http://www.ethioonutube.com/

The Ethiopian domestic worker whose beating outside her country's consulate was widely publicized on video committed suicide Wednesday morning, Ethiopia’s consul general in Lebanon confirmed to The Daily Star.

Alem Dechasa, 33, hanged herself using her bed sheets between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., Ethiopian General Consul Asaminew Debelie Bonssa said doctors told him. He spoke to The Daily Star while returning from the hospital Psychiatrique de la Croix Hospital, known as Deir al-Salib. Police took her to the hospital after the incident.

The video released by LBCI last week showed Dechasa moaning as a man, later identified as Ali Mahfouz, beat her and forced her into a car. According to Bonssa, who said Dechassa was in Lebanon illegally, the incident took place two weeks prior to its release. Mahfouz said Dechasa had previously attempted suicide.

Bonssa said he saw Dechasa Saturday and she appeared fine. Bonssa also said doctors told him they checked on her at 5 a.m. this morning and when they returned at 6 a.m. she was dead.

Bonssa said he was “deeply shocked” by the news.

The hospital declined to comment, citing privacy concerns. Source (Daily Star)



Ethiopian troops set to leave Somalia by end April:AU

"It provides for Djiboutian forces to be deployed in Baladwayne by the end of April at the latest. Two thousand five hundred troops from Burundi and Uganda will also be deployed in Baidoa by the 30th of April at the latest," the AU's Ramtane Lamamra said of a deal signed by the officials. "The decision up to now is that it is essentially Baladwayne and Baidoa (for Ethiopia) and they have to be handed over to AMISOM and then Ethiopia will withdraw its forces to its own national territory."Lamamra, the bloc's commissioner for peace and security, also said. Read more ...

Donald M. Payne, First Black Elected to Congress From New Jersey, Dies at 77

The cause was complications from colon cancer, according to Mr. Payne’s office. He died at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J. Mr. Payne had disclosed in February that he had been diagnosed with colon cancer but said that he would not take a leave of absence and that he planned to seek re-election because his doctors expected him to make a full recovery. Read more…