(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is deeply concerned for the welfare of two prominent academics detained for incitement to riot. Mesfin Wolde Mariam (71) and Berhanu Nega were arrested on 8 May 2001, three weeks after taking part in a forum on academic freedom held at Addis Ababa University. Mesfin […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN is deeply concerned for the welfare of two prominent academics detained for incitement to riot. Mesfin Wolde Mariam (71) and Berhanu Nega were arrested on 8 May 2001, three weeks after taking part in a forum on academic freedom held at Addis Ababa University. Mesfin has begun a hunger strike in protest of the arrests and there is growing concern for his health.
The forum, which had been planned well in advance, coincidentally took place the day after security forces had crushed a demonstration by students demanding greater academic freedom. In the ensuing riots, forty-one students were killed, hundreds of others were injured and around 2,000 were arrested. Around 150 political activists and journalists were also rounded up, including Mesfin and Berhanu. The two academics are believed to be held in cells at the Central Investigation Bureau.
Both men have long and distinguished records as defenders of human rights. Mesfin is the founder of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO) and Berhanu is a former chairman of the Ethiopian Economics Association and currently the director of the Ethiopian Economic Research Institute. The EHRCO, which organised the 18 April forum on “human rights, the nature of a university, and academic freedom”, has repeatedly stated that the discussions held were frank but responsible and therefore not an incitement of violence.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– urging the Ethiopian authorities to release Mesfin and Berhanu immediately or allow them the right to a reasonable bail and permit relatives and medical staff to visit the two detainees
Appeals To
His Excellency Ato Meles Zenawi
Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Office of the Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1031
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: +251 1 552 020
His Excellency Ato Woredewold Wolde
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
PO Box 1370
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: +251 1 550 722/550 278
Please copy appeals to the Ethiopian representative in your country where possible.
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
