Ethiopian Amb. to Saudi: ‘the past two days has been calm’

The Ethiopian Embassy in Riyadh announced today that it is working with community members to repatriate Ethiopians in “a safe and dignified manner.”

Speaking about the current situation in the city, Ambassador Mohammed Hassen said “over the past two day the situation has been calm and no new incidents of clashes with security forces reported.”

The Ambassador and diplomats at the embassy met with the Governor of Riyadh and the head of the police force to discuss ways to work for the safe repatriation of Ethiopians.

The Embassy has opened a new registration center in Mureba and started registering Ethiopian citizens, and is providing laissez passer to Ethiopians who failed to legalize their status in the four months grace period allowed by the Saudi government.

The Embassy has also had meetings with community members to organize efforts to stop any ill-treatment of Ethiopians while they are being moved to deportation centers by Saudi security forces.

Volunteers from Ethiopian community members are also supporting the Embassy in registering Ethiopians who are without residence permits. The Ambassador together with the Governor of Riyadh has visited detention facilities to observe conditions.

He and other Ethiopian diplomats have confirmed that Ethiopians without resident permits are now moving to the deportation centers without problem.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreigners has urged Ethiopians to go to the nearest Embassy, Consulate office or registration center to process their repatriation in an orderly fashion.

Today, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its reassurance to all concerned Ethiopian citizens that it is working with the Saudi Authorities to repatriate Ethiopians and protect them from any form of abuse.

The Ministry has also firmly repeated that it strongly condemns any form of ill-treatment or inhuman actions committed against Ethiopians.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nov. 12, 2013, titled “Ethiopian Embassy and community volunteers in Saudi Arabia working for safe repatriation of Ethiopians”