Ethiovision

Roche Supports Cancer Care Development Program in Ethiopia

admin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:28:31 +0000

New York, USA – (Press Release) – Roche today announced a grant to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in New York City, which will be used for the establishment of a program to improve basic cancer care in Ethiopia.

The grant funding comes from the Roche African Research Foundation.

In spite of a population of 80 million people, there are a very limited number of oncologists and only one cancer hospital – Tikur Anbessa, in Ethiopia’s capital city of Addis Ababa, that provides radiation, complex surgery and chemotherapy. Gradually building the capacity for knowledge and awareness of cancer is the first step for tackling the burden of cancer in developing countries, along with other non-communicable diseases, which is expected to increase.

The ultimate goal of the project, which is headed by Dr. Carol Harris, professor of clinical medicine at Einstein, is to increase the capacity for delivering cancer care in Ethiopia by improving patient navigation through the care system, assuring standard protocols and reporting, enhancing public awareness of cancer and developing a pilot site for regional cancer care centers at the Hawassa College of Medicine and Health Sciences. The initiative will also focus on providing a basic cancer care training program for healthcare professionals and surgical training for gynecologists as well as support the annual Ethiopian Oncology National Conference, which represents one of the few possibilities for oncologists within Ethiopia to exchange experiences and knowledge regarding cancer treatment.

The programme will emphasize women’s reproductive cancers since they represent the greatest burden of cancer disease in Ethiopia and the patients are young. While the average life expectancy for women in Ethiopia is over 58 years, approximately 44% of patients with breast cancer are under the age of 40.

About Roche

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Roche is a leader in research-focused healthcare with combined strengths in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, virology, inflammation, metabolism and CNS. Roche is also the world leader in in-vitro diagnostics, tissue-based cancer diagnostics and a pioneer in diabetes management. Roche’s personalised healthcare strategy aims at providing medicines and diagnostic tools that enable tangible improvements in the health, quality of life and survival of patients. In 2010, Roche had over 80’000 employees worldwide and invested over 9 billion Swiss francs in R&D. The Group posted sales of 47.5 billion Swiss francs. Genentech, United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche has a majority stake in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information: www.roche.com.

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71 Ethiopian olim arrive in Israel

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:56:21 +0000

New immigrants accompanied by 20 lay leaders from Jewish Federations of North America, to begin their absorption process in Kiryat Gat

Seventy-one olim from Ethiopia arrived in Israel on Thursday accompanied by lay leaders from the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA).

Included in the delegation are 20 lay leaders from UJA-Federation of New York headed by Alisa Doctoroff, Chair of the Board, UJA-Federation, and John Ruskay, executive vice president & CEO of UJA-Federation.

The olim arrived in Tel Aviv at 2:30 am and were chaperoned to their absorption center in Kiryat Gat, where they will begin their absorption process in Israel.

The mission traveled to Ethiopia to meet the remaining members of the community and visit the Jewish Community Center and school in Gondar before escorting the olim to Israel.

In Israel, the delegation plans to engage in discussions on the future of Ethiopian olim with Jewish Agency and JDC representatives. They also plan to celebrate early Tu B’Shvat festivities.

The UJA-Federation generously donates over $3 million annually to Ethiopian aliyah and absorption in Israel, as well as medical and educational services for those still in Ethiopia. At the moment, there are more than 6,000 Ethiopian Jews (Falash Mura) seeking to make aliyah to Israel.

“Seeing first-hand the hardships that the Jews of Ethiopia face, and joining them as they come home to Israel, truly illustrates why making the dream of aliyah a reality is such an important part of our work,” said John S. Ruskay.

“But our obligations go much deeper than simply bringing them to Israel. We believe it is our responsibility to give the Jews of Ethiopia the tools to succeed once they arrive.

"Multiple UJA-Federation initiatives, done with our overseas agencies, help ensure these new olim are able to put down roots in Israel and lead full and productive lives.”

Source : Ynetnews

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Ethiopia’s anti-terrorism laws must not be misused to curb rights

admin — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 09:04:11 +0000

2 February 2012 – A group of independent United Nations human rights experts today spoke out against the ongoing use of anti-terrorism laws to curb freedom of expression in Ethiopia, where several journalists were recently given prison sentences under such legislation.

“Journalists play a crucial role in promoting accountability of public officials by investigating and informing the public about human rights violations,” said Frank La Rue, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression. “They should not face criminal proceedings for carrying out their legitimate work, let alone be severely punished.”

A week ago, three journalists and two opposition politicians were given prison sentences ranging from 14 years to life imprisonment under Ethiopia’s anti-terrorism laws. This followed the sentencing of two Swedish journalists to 11 years in prison in December, a news release issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) stated.

Another 24 defendants are scheduled to appear in court next month, for various charges under the anti-terrorism law, several of whom may face the death sentence if convicted.

Ben Emmerson, the Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights, said that “the anti-terrorism provisions should not be abused and need to be clearly defined in Ethiopian criminal law to ensure that they do not go counter to internationally guaranteed human rights.”

The Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, emphasized that “journalists, bloggers and others advocating for increased respect for human rights should not be subject to pressure for the mere fact that their views are not in alignment with those of the Government.”

She voiced concern at the case of Eskinder Nega, a blogger and human rights defender who may face the death penalty if convicted. Mr. Nega has been advocating for reform on the issue of the right to assemble peacefully in public.

Similarly, the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, cautioned against the ongoing campaign of harassment against associations expressing dissenting views, while Gabriela Knaul, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, deplored the reported failure to ensure the defendants’ right to a fair trial.

The experts called on the Ethiopian Government to respect the concerned individuals’ fundamental rights, especially their right to a fair trial, and reiterated the need to apply anti-terrorism legislation cautiously and in accordance with the country’s international human rights obligations.

Source: UN NEWS Centre

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African Union to open Chinese-funded HQ in Ethiopia

admin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:26:35 +0000

The African Union is due to inaugurate its newly built headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The entire $200m (£127m) project was funded by China as a gift to the AU, as Beijing continues to strengthen its influence in Africa.

The 100m high tower overlooks a vast conference centre where African heads of state are expected to meet for years to come.

Their first AU summit in the building will take place on the weekend.

China's most senior political adviser, Jia Qinglin, will attend the opening of the new headquarters and will address African leaders at the start of their assembly on Sunday.

The new AU building dominates the skyline of Addis Ababa and is the city's tallest building.

Most of the materials used were imported from China and even the furnishings were paid for by Beijing, AFP news agency reports.

Construction began in January 2009 and involved 1,200 Chinese and Ethiopian workers.

The project co-ordinator, Fantalum Michael, says the new building signifies China's growing friendship with Africa.

"It's a testimony that this relationship will continue in the future," he told AFP.

Thriving relationship

Trade between China and Africa has increased more than six-fold during the past decade to $120bn (£76bn) in 2011.

China is interested in Africa's natural resources and in return is investing huge sums in African infrastructure.

Roads are being built by Chinese firms at a staggering rate, says the BBC's Will Ross in Addis Ababa.

While other rich nations impose conditions before aid is given, China's relationship with African countries is strictly a business one, he says.

Human rights groups have criticised China for undermining efforts by western countries to link aid to improvements in governance.

However African leaders have welcomed the Chinese approach and have embraced investment from Beijing.

In Ethiopia, many jobs have been created through Chinese-funded projects.

Chinese cars are being made in Ethiopian factories and China is also building a light railway across Addis Ababa.

Source : BBC

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Ethiopians set Dubai alight

admin — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:21:04 +0000

By Alex Leach, Khaleej Times

Ayele Abshero led home an Ethiopian clean sweep in the elite men’s race of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon, breaking the course record by half a minute.

DUBAI – Ayele Abshero led home an Ethiopian clean sweep in the elite men’s race of the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon on Friday morning, breaking the course record by half a minute.

The 21-year-old, competing in his first-ever, fully-fledged marathon, clocked 2:04:23s to knock 30 seconds off the prior best here set by legendary compatriot Haile Gebrselassie four years ago.

He was followed in by compatriot Dino Kemal 27 seconds further back in what would have been another course-record time (2:04:50s) were it not for Abshero’s heroics, with fellow countryman Markos Geneti (2:04:54s) completing the podium places in third position.

Abshero was part of the leading pack in the closing stages of the race and the bunched contenders progressively began to whittle down numerically (from nine to six and then five) as the finish line on Emaar Boulevard drew closer.

He and Kemal eventually decided to make a concerted break at the 39-kilometre mark and it soon became clear that the latter wasn’t going to be able to withstand Abshero’s belated burst of pace.

To his credit though, Kemal – despite suffering the effects of a leg injury late on – stayed in second through to the line as the three challengers behind him all finished within 20 seconds of his time.

Geneti was just four seconds off Kemal’s silver medal in the final reckoning, whereas Jonathan Maiyo, of Kenya, and Ethiopian Tadesa Tola – in fourth and fifth respectively – were only two and six seconds further back in the field.

In the equivalent women’s event, the reigning champion Aselefech Mergia, also of Ethiopia, defend her 2011 title in fine style by dipping underneath the course record by three minutes and 11 seconds with 2:19:31s.

Kenyan debutant Lucy Kabuu finished behind Mergia as the runner-up in 2:19:34s, while Mara Dibaba timed 2:19:52s to round off the top three overall.

Mergia and Kabuu appeared set for a keenly-contested, head-to-head battle as they approached the final straight with the 27-year-old newcomer narrowly ahead of the title holder.

However, Mergia – like Abshero – soon lengthened out her stride and kicked away clear of her rival by a mere three seconds in the end.

Meanwhile, in the 10km races, the UAE fared very well as Bethlem Desalyn (34:14s) finished ahead of Ethiopian duo Emebet Adane (34:44s) and Dehininet Jara (34:49s) in the women’s event.

Adane was representing the UAE Athletics Federation in the team category and the same set of circumstances applied in the men’s run to Ethiopia’s Dejene Feysa (28:57s), who finished third behind outright winner Tekle Sahle (28:47s), of Eritrea, and second-placed countryman Kidane Abdi (28:56s).

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Ethiopian Regional Leader said to Admit Role in Ethnic Killings

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:18:23 +0000

Peter Heinlein, VOA

The president of a volatile Ethiopian regional state has been fired from his party leadership position after reportedly admitting involvement in a 2003 ethnic massacre. The leadership of the southern Gambella region is coming under increasing scrutiny for corruption and abusing the rule of law.

Two privately-owned Ethiopian newspapers are reporting Gambella Regional President Omod Obang Olum has been removed from his post as head of the ruling Gambella Peoples' Democratic Movement. The GPDM is affiliated with the country's ruling party, the Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front.

It was not immediately clear whether Omod Obang would retain the post of regional president, but in Ethiopia's de-facto one-party system, party positions are considered more important than government titles.

Several other GPDM executive committee members were also reported to have lost their jobs.

The dismissals followed a week-long self-evaluation of the government's performance. Among the issues raised were corruption, the controversial practice of leasing huge tracts of land to foreign investors, and a December, 2003 massacre of more than 400 members of the minority ethnic Anuak community.

Sources contacted by VOA's Amharic language service in Gambella say the normally secret proceedings caused an uproar after the testimony was surreptitiously recorded and made public. Omod Obang reportedly can be heard on the recording admitting a role in the mass killings, and arguing that if he is to be held accountable, so should Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

A 2005 Human Rights Watch report accused Ethiopia's military of widespread murder, rape and torture of ethnic Anuak in Gambella in December, 2003. But a subsequent government investigation largely absolved the military of wrongdoing.

Coincidentally, Human Rights Watch is releasing another report about Gambella on Tuesday. That report criticizes the Ethiopian government policy of forced villagization, the resettling indigenous people from land that is being leased for commercial agriculture. Many of the estimated 70,000 people being relocated are Anuak pastoralists.

In a telephone interview, Human Rights Watch researcher Ben Rawlence said Omod Obang's apparent confession should prompt a reopening of the investigation into the 2003 massacre.

"Human Rights Watch investigated the events of 2003 and 2004 in Gambella and we called for an investigation of that at the time, so if he is now talking about his role, I would hope that that might provide an opportunity to investigate what happened back then and to hold some of those people to account," Rawlence said.

In an apparent coincidence, U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Donald Booth made what officials called a long-planned two-day visit last week to Gambella. An embassy press release said the ambassador spoke to Regional President Omod Obang to share views on regional development and commercial farming issues. The statement said Booth had also met representatives of the U.N. refugee agency.

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Ethiopians dominate at Villa Lagarina XC

admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:38:58 +0000

Villa Lagarina, Italy – Ethiopia claimed a winning sweep at the 35th edition of the International EA Cross Country race in Villa Lagarina near Rovereto on Sunday (15). Kinde Atanau topped the bill in the men’s race and Berha Aftera Godfay won the women’s race.

The Vallagarina Cross organised by the local club Quercia Rovereto was held on a sunny day.

Atanau produced a strong last lap to beat his compatriot Haftu Fikadu by 11 seconds in the men’s 8Km race crossing the finish-line in 25:27. Ethiopia claimed the top-three spots on the podium with Mokashaw Kassa third in 25:43.

The East African country also dominated the women’s 5.5Km race. Afera Godfay confirmed her recent good form by taking the honours in 19:15 four seconds ahead of her compatriot Gidey Roman. Italian Agnes Tschurtschenthaler broke the Ethiopian domination by finishing third in 19:38.

Men’s race -

The men’s race set off at a fast pace thanks to the early initiative of Ukrainian Vasyl Matvichuk who went to the lead during the first lap in the early stages of the race ahead of Gabriele De Nard and the African group formed by four Ethiopians (Atanau, Kassa, Fikadu and Abrhaa Gebretsadik) and Kenyan Kimeli Kisorio and nine-time European Cross Country champion Sergiy Lebid.

The Ethiopian quartet caught Matvichuk during the second lap. Atanau, Kassa, Fikadu and Gebretsadik pushed their pace opening a gap. Matvichuk and Lebid tried to keep their pace but lost ground.

With three laps to go three men (Atanau, Kassa and Fikadu) broke away on the uphill section of the course. The race really hotted up in the last lap when Atanau, third at the Campaccio in San Giorgio su Legnano, pulled away from Kassa and Fikadu building up a gap of about ten seconds. After producing a decisive surge during the last lap Atanau still continued to push hard in the final straight and crossed the finish line in 25:27. Heftu Fikadu, who is a junior runner, held off Kassa for second place.

Lebid, winner in Rovereto in 2003 and 2004, held off Matvichuk and finished fifth and first European in 26:10.

Atanau was the second Ethiopian in the 35-year-old history of the Vallagarina Cross to take the win after Abera Chane in 2010.

Women’s race -

A big group led by Ethiopians Afera Godfay and Gidey Roman and Italians Agnes Tschurtschenthaler and Fatna Maraoui set off at a conservative pace in the race’s early stages.

After a tactical start to the race, it really hotted when the two Ethiopians increased their pace breaking away over the uphill section of the course during the second lap. Godfay, who recently finished second in the Boclassic race in Bolzano and third at the Campaccio Cross Country race and Roman carved out a solid margin in the last lap. Godfay produced her decisive surge pulling away from Roman and romped home in 19:16 beating the compatriot by three seconds.

Local favourite Agnes Tschurtschenthaler ran a good race finishing third in 19:38 in her final test before the Italian Cross Country Championships in Borgo Valsugana on 29th January.

Diego Sampaolo for the IAAF

Results from the 35th edition of the Vallagarina Cross Country race:

Men’s race (8.6 km) -

1. Kinde Atanau (Ethiopia) 25:27

2. Haftu Fikadu (Ethiopia) 25:38

3. Mokeshaw Kassa (Ethiopia) 25:43

4. Abrhaa Gebretsadik (Ethiopia) 26:05

5. Sergiy Lebid (Ukraine) 26:10

6. Vasyl Matvichuk (Ukraine) 26:16

7. Kosea Kimeli Kisorio (Kenya) 26:16

8. Gabriele De Nard (Italy) 26:17

9. Mark Bett (Kenya) 26:29

10. Peter Bii (Kenya) 26:29

Women’s race (5.5 km) -

1. Afera Godfay (Ethiopia) 19:16

2. Gidey Roman (Ethiopia) 19:19

3. Agnes Tschurtschenthaler (Italy) 19:38

4. Fatna Maraoui (Italy) 19:47

5. Federica Dal Ri (Italy) 19:48

6. Angela Rinicella (Italy) 19:51

7. Angelina Nyransabimana (Rwanda) 20:02

8. Lucia Sekanova (Czech Republic) 20:02

9. Simona Santini (Italy) 20:03

10. Silvia La Barbera (Italy) 20:08

Source : iaaf.org

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Foreign tourists killed in Ethiopia

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:38:59 +0000

Gunmen have killed five foreign tourists in Ethiopia's remote northern Afar region, after crossing into the country from neighbouring Eritrea, an Ethiopian official said.

A western diplomat said that German nationals were among those killed in the shooting which happened late on Monday. He did not confirm the total number of dead.

Afar is known to be a haunt of Ethiopian rebels who regularly cross the border with Eritrea, Ethiopia's bitter foe. Eritrean rebels and bandits also operate in the area at times.

"The group of foreign tourists was attacked by gunmen late on Monday, by members of a group that was trained and armed by the Eritrean government. It's the usual terrorist activity by the regime," Bereket Simon, Ethiopia's government spokesman, said.

There was no immediate comment from the Eritrean authorities. Eritrea often says Ethiopia "fabricates" lies to tarnish its image.

Ethiopian state television said two other tourists had been seriously wounded in the attack, while another tourist had escaped unharmed.

An Ethiopian foreign ministry official, who declined to be named, said the government believed the victims were from "a number of countries, mostly from Europe".

Addis Ababa routinely accuses Asmara of supporting a number of Ethiopian separatist groups, and blamed an Afar rebel movement for the kidnapping of five Europeans in the region in 2007.

A German foreign ministry spokesman said Berlin was working with the German embassy in Addis Ababa to clarify exactly what had happened.

The only foreigners who normally brave the inhospitable Afar region are researchers, aid workers and adventure tourists visiting geographical wonders such as the Danakil depression, one of the hottest places on earth with its ancient salt mines and volcanoes.

A German media report said the group of tourists had been close to the Erta Ale volcano, one of Ethiopia's most active.

Germany's foreign ministry carries a travel warning on its website alerting German nationals to banditry and other dangers in the area around the volcano.

The Europeans abducted in 2007 were later released.

Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a 1998-2000 border war that killed some 70,000 people, and the dispute still festers.

Source : The Guardian

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Ethiopian-Israeli begins three-day march to protest racism

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 03:51:03 +0000

Mulet Araro, who set out on foot to Jerusalem from his home in Kiryat Malachi, will arrive in time for Wednesday's anti-racism demonstration in Jerusalem.

By Revital Blumenfeld, Haaretz

An Israeli of Ethiopian descent yesterday started a three-day protest march from his home in Kiryat Malakhi to the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem, where he will join other Ethiopian Israelis for a demonstration against racism Wednesday.

Mulet Hararo, 26, an IDF officer and physical education student, called on Israelis of Ethiopian origin and other supporters to join him on his march, which is intended "to raise awareness for the discrimination and awaken society from its coma."

"I believe racism can be quashed. We, the new generation, are ready to make great sacrifices. We are fighting for the future generations," he wrote in his Facebook page on Sunday.

A week ago, hundreds demonstrated in Kiryat Malakhi to protest discrimination in the wake of the reported refusal of housing committees to sell apartments to Israelis of Ethiopian origin.

Araro embarked on his 63-kilometer trek at 7 A.M. yesterday, passing Beit Shemesh on his way to Latrun, where he stopped for the night. Today he will spend the night in Mevasseret Zion and continue to Jerusalem tomorrow via the Western Wall and the Knesset, where the demonstrators will gather.

Groups of supporters will accompany him at various points along the way.

"I'm determined to make a change and it's time we did more than just demonstrations," he told Haaretz yesterday, walking on Route 3 toward Latrun. "The disease of racism in Israeli society must be exposed. As far as I'm concerned all the means are justified except violence. Because racism is violence," he said.

"I've been through the army and learned something. I hope the sane Israeli society will join me and walk with me because this is everyone's war, not only ours," he said.

Activists of Ethiopian origin and other volunteers yesterday distributed flyers to passersby outside Tel Aviv's Azrieli towers, urging them to come to Wednesday's demonstration against racism and discrimination.

The demonstration is scheduled to start at 3 P.M. in the Knesset plaza. From there protesters will march to the prime minister's residence and the central stage set up in Zion Square.

Some 6,000 signed up for the demonstration on Facebook since the invitation to the rally was posted at the beginning of the week. However, the organizers fear that due to the bad weather and the local authorities' strike fewer people would actually take part in the event.

"We'll come on Wednesday with a list of demands and propose solutions as well," said social activist Daniel Bahart.

"We hope at least one of the decision makers will come down to us, hear us and respond to our demands. Of course we expect [Immigraant Absorption Minister] Sofa Landver to talk to us," he said.

Landver said last week, in response to protests against discrimination of Israelis from Ethiopia, that they should be grateful for what they have received from Israel.

"We have problems and we will not rest until things change. As of now the response to racism has been merely cosmetic. There are still numerous racists in the schools who receive wages from the state, there is segregation in schools, nightclubs…we'll continue demonstrating until these issues are solved," he said.

Meretz Knesset members Ilan Gilon and Nitzan Horowitz yesterday submitted a proposal to the ministerial legislation committee banning discrimination in renting or selling a home on the basis of nationality, skin color, sexual inclination, handicap and political association.

However the committee put off discussing the proposal for a month, in what Gilon called a deliberate attempt to scrap it once the public uproar died down.

"It is clear the cabinet is trying to bury the proposal and silence the Ethiopian immigrants' outcry," Gilon said.

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Ethiopia forcing thousands off land to make room for Saudi and Indian investors

admin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:00:21 +0000

Ethiopia is forcing tens of thousands of its poorest people off fertile land earmarked for Saudi Arabian and Indian investors and into villages lacking schools, clinics or clean water, a new report has claimed.

By Mike Pflanz, Nairobi, The Telegraph

Already, 20,000 families have moved from areas they have roamed for centuries in a "villagisation" programme that researchers claim international donors including Britain have inadvertently helped fund.

At the same time, Indian, Saudi and Ethiopian companies have moved in to take over more than one million acres of land to grow cash crops in the affected region, Gambella.

A further six million acres of Ethiopia – an area close to the size of Belgium – have already been leased to foreign firms and there are plans to expand this by another five million acres.

Ethiopia's government says that no one has been forced to move and that the villagisation scheme – which will eventually reach 1.5 million Ethiopians – is designed to give people previously scattered across vast areas better access to "social and economic services".

But in interviews with more than 100 people from Gambella, in Ethiopia's west, Human Rights Watch was repeatedly told that they were moved under duress.

"Our research found the process to be far from voluntary," the rights group said in a report published on Tuesday.

"[It] has been accompanied by widespread human rights violations, including forced displacement, arbitrary arrest and detention, beatings, rape, and other sexual violence.

"Residents [said] that any refusal or inquiries were met with beatings, arrests, or intimidation from the army."

The programme bears echoes of the Soviet-inspired mass resettlements of Ethiopia's rural people into work camps under the Marxist Derg government of Mengistu Haile Mariam in the 1970s and 1980s.

Tribes that traditionally moved with their animals have been settled and ordered to plant crops, the report says.

Others that roamed wide areas shifting their cultivation from season to season have been given tiny new plots to raise harvests to feed their families.

One elder told researchers: "We want you to be clear that the government brought us here … to die. They brought us no food, they gave away our land to the foreigners so we can't even move back.

"On all sides the land is given away, so we will die here in one place."

In several cases, Human Rights Watch said, people had been moved to existing villages where services including health care, education, food aid and clean water was funded through programmes paid for by international aid.

"Through their ongoing budgetary support to regional and local governments, [Ethiopia's foreign donors] are, in part, paying for the construction of schools, health clinics, roads, and water facilities in the new villages," Human Rights Watch said.

"They are also funding agricultural programs directed towards resettled populations and the salaries of the local government officials who are implementing the policy.

"It is almost impossible for donor funds not to be contributing to basic services in new villages."

Andrew Mitchell, the International Development Secretary, said last night that he would be "taking a close look" at the report's findings and would raise concerns "at the highest level".

Britain is Ethiopia's largest bilateral donor and plans to funnel £1.3 billion in aid to the country between 2010 and 2015.

"The British Government's development assistance in Ethiopia does not encourage or support 'villagisation' and we share HRW's concerns that promises made to communities are not being fulfilled," Mr Mitchell said.

Ethiopia is among a clutch of African countries aggressively marketing their fertile land to overseas investors, mostly from the Gulf, South Asia and the Far East, to grow their own crops for export back to domestic markets.

Bereket Simon, Ethiopia's director of government communications, said that Gambella, and other areas marked for commercial leasing, were "underutilised" or "uninhabited".

"Ethiopia is a country endowed with natural resources and abundant land which is not inhabited by any people," he said.

"We are inviting investors to come to Ethiopia, but we make absolutely sure that they invest for the development of the country."

He dismissed the Human Rights Watch report as a "deliberate and blatant smear campaign" against his country by the New York-based organisation.

"I can assure you that 20,000 families have been relocated voluntarily in the last two years, it was not forced at all, and all the infrastructures are in place for them," he said.

"In fact, we planned to move 15,000 families, but another 5,000 came of their own accord because of the better infrastructure."

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