The following is a 27 January 2000 IFJ letter to Minister of Justice Woldemichael Wolde: Woldemichael Wolde Minister of Justice Addis Ababa Brussels, 27 January 2000 Dear Mr Wolde The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest journalists’ organisation representing around 450,000 journalists worldwide, is deeply concerned about the recent suicide of Makonnen Worku, member […]
The following is a 27 January 2000 IFJ letter to Minister of Justice Woldemichael Wolde:
Woldemichael Wolde
Minister of Justice
Addis Ababa
Brussels, 27 January 2000
Dear Mr Wolde
The International Federation of Journalists, the world’s largest journalists’ organisation representing around 450,000 journalists worldwide, is deeply concerned about the recent suicide of Makonnen Worku, member of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association, and former Editor in Chief of Maebe, a private weekly newspaper.
According to our information, the late Makonnen Worku had been detained for a long time at the Central Investigation Department and Addis Ababa Prison in connection with alleged violations of the Press Proclamation. He was subsequently released on bail. Lately new charges were instituted against him and police were reportedly searching for him.
Furthermore, the IFJ is concerned about journalist Bizunesh Debebe, who remains in prison notwithstanding the Federal High Court order of 12 December 1999 for her release as she has paid her bail. The IFJ demands her immediate release.
Moreover, the IFJ protests the sentencing of Tesahalene Mengesha, deputy editor-in-chief of Mabruk, on 21 January, to a one-year prison term for violating the Press Law. He stands accused of disseminating fabricated news and rumours against the head of the government and other government officials by publishing an article in Mabruk (October 26 1998) entitled “The Government of the traitor shall be destroyed. Meles Zenawi is a dictator! Military ranks were given to woyane bandits who have never had military knowledge or training.” It was alleged that the article published under the above heading could confuse public opinion and create anarchy. The IFJ is concerned that this amounts to censorship by the Ethiopian government.
Lastly, we would like to draw your attention to the discussion you had with the IFJ and IPI in 1997 concerning the legal status of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association (EFJA). At the time you assured the IFJ and the IPI delegation that the EFJA would be legally registered as soon as the necessary documentation was presented to your office. We have been informed that the EFJA has provided your office with all the necessary documents but that their legal registration remains outstanding. We urge you to look into this matter and to ensure that the EFJA is registered and can freely undertake to represent its members.
Yours sincerely
AIDAN WHITE
General Secretary
Recommended Action
Similar appeals can be sent to:
Woldemichael Wolde
Minister of Justice
Addis Ababa
Fax: +251 1 51 77 75
His Excellency Meles Zenawi
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Addis Ababa
Fax: +251 1 514 300
Copies should be sent to the Ethiopian Press Journalistsâ Association (EFJA)
Fax: +251 1 55 50 21
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
