The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net) continues to monitor the continued deterioration of media freedom in Ethiopia April 18, 2006 sentenced to 16 months for defamation while freelance writer Abraham Reta has been sentenced to one year. Earlier in February this year, Goshu Moges, who publishes and contributes to the Amharic-language weekly newspaper Lisane Hezeb and a monthly magazine under a similar name, was also arrested over anti-state charges.
“The continued detention of journalists over trumped up charges must immediately be halted in order to give way to the internationally cherished freedom of the media. The media is a watchdog of society and is an essential tool in effecting checks and balances in government. Any attempts to silence the media risk denying the public the right to information which is not only a provision of the Ethiopian Federal Constitution but also several international human rights instruments to which Ethiopia is signatory ,” says Hassan Shire Sheikh, the Chairperson of EHAHRD-Net.
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) rightly states that, “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers […]” herein lies the inalienable freedom of the press.
BACKGROUND
Gebrekidan, the editor of the now banned Addis Zena newspaper, is one of at least 14 journalists on trial with dozens of opposition leaders for allegedly trying to overthrow the Ethiopian constitutional order. They were arrested in a crackdown following anti-state protests in November last year and could face a death sentence or life imprisonment under the country’s Criminal Code. Many others are under hiding in exile. Over 50 people died while many others sustained serious injuries during violent protests in the capital Addis Ababa
Gebrekidan, already serving an eight-month sentence for defamation handed down in December 2005 now received a 16-month sentence for an article that appeared in 2002 and which allegedly defamed the editor of Abyotawi Democracy, a publication of the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). The piece appeared in the Amharic language weekly Ethiop, of which he was editor at the time.
Sources from the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ) have been quoted as saying, “Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told a CPJ delegation in March that the government had decided several years ago not to prosecute under the 1992 press law, and that this was still government policy. He said he was not aware that cases had been reactivated, and that he would look into the matter.” Despite the encouragement from the Prime Minister, it’s unfortunate that journalists like Gebrekidan and Reta are facing the same old law supposed to be outdated.
APPEAL:
The Network calls upon the Ethiopian Government to henceforth stop the harassment targeting journalists and other media workers; release the victims immediately and unconditionally or effect a fair trial of the arrested journalists. All human rights defenders within the region should raise a concerted alarm to help make justice a reality.
Brief background of EHAHRD-Net:
The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net) brings together over 65 human rights organizations from Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Somaliland, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and International Partners; Canada, Germany, Norway, UK, the U.S and the Netherlands.
The Network with its Secretariat in Kampala , Uganda
The Objectives of the Network are:
To protect and defend HRDs in the region
To build the capacity of HRDs and
To advocate and raise public awareness and profiles of HRDs
For further information, please contact:
Tumusiime Kabwende Deo
Press Officer
Regional Coordination Office
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS PROJECT EHAHRDP)
Human Rights House, Plot 1853, Lulume Rd., Nsambya
P.O. Box 11027 Kampala, Uganda
Phone: +256-41-510263(general) /ext.112
+256-41-267118(direct)
EAST AND HORN OF AFRICA HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS PROJECT EHAHRDP)
Human Rights House, Plot 1853, Lulume Rd., Nsambya
P.O. Box 11027 Kampala, Uganda
Phone: +256-41-510263(general) /ext.112
+256-41-267118(direct)
Mobile: +256-712-943390
Fax: +256-41-267117
E-mail: ehahrdp@yahoo.ca, tumusiimedeo@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.yorku.ca/crs/AHRDP/home.htm
Fax: +256-41-267117
E-mail: ehahrdp@yahoo.ca, tumusiimedeo@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.yorku.ca/crs/AHRDP/home.htm
Source: EHAHRD-Net, April 26, 2006
