01:22 p.m Jul 02, 1998 Eastern
ADDIS ABABA, July 2 (Reuters) - Ethiopia on Thursday blasted U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson for alleging rights violations against Eritreans and demanded an immediate amendment to what it called a baseless statement.
``The statement of the High Commissioner criticising Ethiopia for human rights violations against Eritrean nationals is not only absolutely groundless but is also of the kind that would undermine the credibility of the office of the United Nations,'' the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
It demanded an urgent amendment to the statement which it said was ``based on erroneous information.''
Robinson urged Ethiopia on Wednesday to stop expelling Eritrean nationals as the border war between the Horn of Africa neighbours dragged on.
Robinson said Ethiopia was violating international rights to freedom of movement and non-discrimination.
The Foreign Ministry said Ethiopia acted strictly within the law in its treatment of Eritreans on its soil and in full compliance with the principles of international humanitarian law.
It also accused Robinson of ignoring an Ethiopian statement last month detailing alleged atrocities committed by Eritrea against Ethiopian nationals on its soil.
Hundreds have died since May 6 when a border dispute between Horn of Africa neighbours Ethiopia and Eritrea escalated into conflict. Both sides accuse the other of mistreating nationals living in the other country's territory.