(WiPC/IFEX) – Melese Shine, editor-in-chief of the weekly “Ethiop”, was released on bail of 12,000 birr (approx. US$1,440) on 25 June 2002. He had been detained since 19 March when he was charged with publishing and disseminating an article defaming the head of government, and publishing an interview with an alleged member of an illegal […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – Melese Shine, editor-in-chief of the weekly “Ethiop”, was released on bail of 12,000 birr (approx. US$1,440) on 25 June 2002. He had been detained since 19 March when he was charged with publishing and disseminating an article defaming the head of government, and publishing an interview with an alleged member of an illegal group.
Gizaw Taye, the editor-in-chief of the “Lamrot” newspaper, was also released on bail on 24 June. He had been held since 15 March on press charges.
It is estimated that there are at least 80 such cases waiting to go to trial involving journalists.
Lubaba Said, the former editor-in-chief of the “Tarik” newspaper, continues to serve her one-year sentence handed down on 3 April for “fabricating news that could have a negative psychological effect on members of the armed forces and disturb the minds of the people”.
International PEN welcomes the long delayed bailing of Shine and Taye but reiterates its assertion that the Ethiopian authorities systematically use defamation laws as a means of harassing and silencing journalists.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– calling for the immediate release of Said
– urging the authorities to drop all criminal charges filed against journalists under press laws
Appeals To
H.E. 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
H.E. Ato Harka Hariye
Minister of Justice
c/o National Parliament
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: +251 1 51 08 73/ +251 1 55 02 78
Both the above share the e-mail address: national.parliament@telecom.net.et
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
