ETHIOPIAN TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION

Early day motion 1235, tabled 19 March 2008 by Louise Ellman (Labour). Signed by 34 members.

That this House shares the deep concern of Education International, the TUC and the National Union of Teachers over the future of the legitimate Ethiopian Teachers' Association (ETA) following the recent Ethiopian Supreme Court ruling which resulted in an order for the union's property, assets and even its name to be handed over to a rival organisation, also called ETA, set up by the Ethiopian government; further expresses concern about the safety of ETA teacher members who continue to be forcibly detained, or arbitrarily dismissed, for any form of criticism of the Ethiopian government; notes that these are gross breaches of international standards in relation to trade union rights; and requests that the UK Government uses its influence with the government of Ethiopia to help secure a meeting between Education International and Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, to explore avenues for dialogue and reconciliation between the rival organisations in order to avert further tension and unrest.

Signatures by party: Labour 22, Liberal Democrat 4, DUP 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1, Independent Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1.