Freedom of the press and freedom of expression in Ethiopia are complicated to say the least. Last month we were happy to announce that jailed Ethiopian journalist and blogger Eskinder Nega had been released, read our post here for more details on his story.
In the post we wrote that this good news should not make us forget freedom of the press is precarious in Ethiopia and we were right as new arrests of journalists and human rights defenders happened recently. Eskinder Nega is among protesters arrested this time again.
In a letter to the Ethiopian Prime Minister-designate, a coalition of over 40 civil society organizations express their concern regarding these recent arrests. CIVICUS tweeted about this open letter:
State of emergency in #Ethiopia: 11 journalists & human rights defenders arrested as new Prime Minister appointed. Civil society groups call for immediate release https://t.co/0TjpANemCc pic.twitter.com/e9QKqCQeIO
— CIVICUS (@CIVICUSalliance) March 30, 2018
Here is some extracts of the letter you can read in full here:
The undersigned international, regional and national human rights and development organisations write to express our grave concern over the recent arrest of 11 Ethiopian journalists, bloggers and political opposition leaders amid a new crackdown on fundamental freedoms. Such measures undermine the Ethiopian government’s international human rights obligations as well as recent political commitments to initiate an era of widespread democratic political reform. As you assume your position as Prime Minister, we urge the Ethiopian Government to immediately and unconditionally release all human rights defenders, political activists and journalists, including the 11 individuals detained this week.
On 25 March 2018, Ethiopian police and security forces arrested journalists Eskinder Nega and Temesgen Desalegn, Zone9 bloggers Mahlet Fantahun, Befekadu Hailu, blogger Zelalem Workaggnhu and political activists Andualem Arage, Addisu Getinet, Yidnekachewu Addis, Sintayehu Chekol, Tefera Tesfaye and Woynshet Molla.
The arrests were carried out while the defenders were attending a private meeting in Addis Ababa at the home of journalist Temesgen Desalegn. The private gathering was held in recognition of the recent release of thousands of political prisoners amidst ongoing and widespread protests against political marginalisation and land grabbing in the Oromia and Amhara regions which began in late 2015. The eleven are currently being held at Gotera-Pepsi Police Station in Addis Ababa.
We didn’t sign this letter but many organizations we know did, and we support their initiative to bring more justice and freedom of expression for everyone in Ethiopia.
