(EFJA/IFEX) – On 2 June 2000, the Federal High Court (Fires Criminal Bench) sentenced Tewdors Kassa, editor-in-chief of “Ethiop”, a private Amahric-language newspaper, to a one year prison term or payment of Birr 15,000 (approx. US$1,860). According to the details of the charges provided by the special prosecutor, “Journalist Tewdors Kassa published a news item […]
(EFJA/IFEX) – On 2 June 2000, the Federal High Court (Fires Criminal Bench) sentenced Tewdors Kassa, editor-in-chief of “Ethiop”, a private Amahric-language newspaper, to a one year prison term or payment of Birr 15,000 (approx. US$1,860).
According to the details of the charges provided by the special prosecutor, “Journalist Tewdors Kassa published a news item in Ethiop newspaper that could incite people to political violence. In violation of article 10(1) and 20(21) of press proclamation no. 34/1985 E.C. and article 48/(6) of the penal code, journalist Tewdors Kassa published a fabricated news item in Ethiop newspaper (September 28/1997) titled an âOLF female cadre disappears after poisoning member of Woyane Batallion, commander of the Batallion, and an Oromo national was detained on suspicionâ”.
As may be recalled, the Ethiopian government gave legal recognition to the EFJA several months ago (see IFEX alert of 16 March 2000). Following the recognition, the association’s members had expected that the government would relax its use of measures that include harassment, intimidation and imprisonment. EFJA is saddened by the court decision on the Kassa case at a time when members of the free press are financially weak and leading miserable lives.
EFJA calls on its professional colleagues to speak out about the twenty-six members of the free press, including seven imprisoned journalists whose cases are pending in court, so that they will be given government attention.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– stating that the one-year prison term or payment of Birr 15,000 decided by the court against journalist Tewdors Kassa is unjust and unfair
– calling for his release
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
H.E. Ato Meles Zenawi
Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Fax: +251 1 555 020
H.E. Ato Worede Wold Wolde
Minister of Justice
Fax: +251 1 520 278
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
