Vic Police ban funeral screening of Ethiopian PM

6 Sep 2012, 7:44 pm
Share This
0 
+ Comment
11

Victoria Police has denied inflaming racial tensions by banning a public screening of the funeral of recently deceased Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's funeral.

RELATED

Victoria Police has denied inflaming racial tensions by banning a public screening of the funeral of recently deceased Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's funeral.

The Ethiopian Consul General Graham Romanes told SBS's Luke Waters that police have divided the Ethiopian community and caused suspicion amongst the broader community. by not allowing the screening, which he helped organise. 

He made the accusations shortly before offending Ethiopia's minority Oromo community by denying any human rights abuse took place under Mr Zenawi's rule.

Police Inspector Bernie Jackson the decision was made on the basis of safety, as they were not informed soon enough to carry out the relevant checks at the proposed spot of Federation Square. 

Ethiopia

  • Follow us: 
  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow us on Youtube

Your Comments

Display: 20 | 40 | All comments per page
Previous 10 | Page 1 | 2 | Next 10

Good job

Jegnaw - from Preston, 4 months ago

Thank you Victoria Police for making the right decision at the right time.

Ethiopian Hero Leader

Wondwossen - from Oakland, 9 months ago

We regretfully saw the news that your police department barred the memorial and public condolence service because of some unethical individuals that hoodwinked your good office and authority. Prime Minister Meles was a great leader that lived, worked and died for humanity,the poor and the voiceless in Ethiopia, Africa and the whole world. At such an important time, it is sorrowful to see even your country making a grave mistake of siding with criminal groups. The OLF which you based your decisions on, is a terrorist organization that has a well documented records of indiscriminate atrocities towards the innocent civilian population. The late prime minister represented the African nations in many international dealings, always was on all G8 and G20 meeting being the only African at all times. He stood up for the poor and achieved such a success and freed the country from those murderers and torturers that many had fled the country and mostly hiding in the Western countries. The USA had been deporting those that had been proved of their criminal acts, but many had changed their identity. Australia is a place that the Ethiopian prosecution couldn't possibly be able to bring those to light, for the lack of resource and also prioritizing in taking the fight against poverty and ignorance higher than tracking useless criminals. Ethiopia used to be a place that no one but very few enjoyed and the majority flee from. Today many of us are repatriating to enjoy the fruit of the new democracy that is blossoming in these last 21 years. Please know that we are all over the world standing in opposition of your police forces action to cancel such an important event. In honor of PM Meles Zenawi! Wondwossen Tadesse Oakland CA, USA

Try to understand things first

David - from Pascoe Vale, Melbourne, 9 months ago

You do realize things are canceled at federation square every day.... Due to reasons entirely unpolitical.... Before you jump the gun ranting about Africa's rise and how we are white dogs you should perhaps open a dictionary, an atlas and a history book, maybe use the Internet and educate yourself a little. Maybe leave new jersey, it might help.

Shame to the Victorian Police

Abel - from NY, NY, USA, 9 months ago

I am shocked by the refusal of the Victoria police to honor a request by Ethiopians to commemorate the late visionary leader, HE Meles Zenawi. Haters that may have committed crimes during Mengistu regime may have misinformed the officials. It is imperative to know PM Meles was the best leader Ethiopia ever had & his policies have brought development to the war ravaged country. The official’s action defies democracy as it infringes citizen’s right to mourn the untimely death of a beloved leader.

It is Bad

Taye Kidane - from Denver, Colorado, 9 months ago

The Victoria Poie decision is really bad decision.

Proud Ethiopian

Proud Ethiopian - A land never colonized !!! - from NJ, 9 months ago

:) I am not surprised a bit for Australia to cancel the screening of the funeral of our century’s great visionary leader, HE Prime Minister Melese Zenawi - look no far see how they treat the Aborigines. I have message one piece of info to all of you racist Europeans - Africa the sleeping giant is now fully awake and will no longer be your backyard of wealth!

Outrageous!

Ruth Makonnen - from Dallas, Texas, 9 months ago

I don't understand why this particular region decided to ban the Funeral Memorial Service. Here in The United States all the Cities Participated without any Disruption, and anything less than this is an Insult to an Injury! Shame on you Victoria Police. Can't you guys grieve in Public if Similar Incidence occur? Wow! Scary

Rest In Peace Beloved Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

A H - from Melbourne, 9 months ago

Mr. Romanes, Thank you for your efforts to hold a funeral viewing for the community in Melbourne. Unfortunately the Ethiopian opposition around the world has been very vocal and continue to slander the Ethiopian government and the PM's name around the world. I hope that you are able to schedule a memorial for the PM in the same location soon. The Ethiopian community in Melbourne deserves to mourn their late leader together.

Shame on Victorian police !

An Ethiopian - from Geelong, 9 months ago

It is a blow to the multiculturalism and equality of Australia. Ethiopian were denied the right to mourn their great PM Meles Zenawi by Victorian police by respecting some (few) terrorist affilated groups wanted to distrupt. Do you stop Anzac Rally because some lunatics wanted to be stopped. That exactly what you did. You have created a bad test to the relationship Australia is trying to forgr with my country Ethiopia. Shame on you! SBS please be fair in your journalism

mr

hailun - from addis ababa, arada, 10 months ago

NOT GOOD

Display: 20 | 40 | All comments per page
Previous 10 | Page 1 | 2 | Next 10

Join the Discussion

Name
City / Suburb E.g. Artarmon, Sydney
Title
Comment
You have characters remaining.
Validation
What's this?
This is a captcha-picture. It is used to prevent mass-access by robots.
All submitted comments become the property of SBS. They are moderated, so we reserve the right to edit comments and remove HTML tags. Not all submitted comments will be published. Publication does not mean we endorse the opinions expressed. Please read our terms and conditions for more information.