APW19980518.0604 NEWS NEWSWIRE Ethiopia on Monday opened an international human rights conference prior to setting up its own human rights commission and ombudsman's office. A U.S. envoy among the 100 delegates commended Ethiopia, which has come under international criticism for human rights violations, for holding what he termed the ``sensitive and critical'' meeting. ``It will be a joyous and bright moment for Africa and the world if Nigeria, Sudan and the Congo sponsored similar conferences,'' said Jesse Jackson, President Bill Clinton's envoy for democracy in Africa. No independent, international human rights organizations such as Amnesty International or Human Rights Watch nor local rights groups were invited to the conference. A Chinese official told delegates that the international community should base its promotion of human rights on ``a profound knowledge of the problems of different societies as well as full respect for their current economic, social and cultural situations.'' Zeng Jianhui, chairman of the foreign affairs committee of China's National People's Congress, said the international community should handle human rights issues ``in a more comprehensive and balanced manner.'' China has often complained that western human rights organizations fail to consider what it terms ``collective'' human rights and cultural differences. Ethiopian President Negasso Ghidada said although respect for human and democratic rights was written into Ethiopia's constitution, that alone does not ensure compliance. He said the establishment of a human rights commission and ombudsman would serve to guaranty respect and deepen accountability and transparency in government. Jackson said inclusivity was the key to a successful human rights commission. ``It will be incumbent upon the commission to make the enjoyment of human rights by children and young people its mission and mandate. Since children cannot speak for themselves, they need the voice of conscience,'' he said. (aa/sl)