Ethiopia

(IFJ/IPI/IFEX) – The following is an 8 March 2004 joint IFJ and IPI media release: IFJ and IPI Criticise Ethiopian Government Over Lack of Transparency in Media Bill Drafting Two of the world’s leading press freedom groups, the International Press Institute (IPI) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), have criticised the failure of the […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a CPJ letter to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi: February 19, 2004 His Excellency Prime Minister Meles Zenawi Office of the Prime Minister P.O. Box 1031 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Via facsimile: 251-155-2020 Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply concerned by the Ethiopian government’s intervention in the […]

(EFJA/IFEX) – The following is an 18 January 2004 EFJA press release: EFJA condemns Ethiopian Ministry of Justice’s so-called appointment of “new Executive Committee” EFJA calls on international press institutions to strongly condemn this action Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Jan. 18 — On Sunday, 18 January 2004, the Ethiopian Ministry of Justice appointed a so-called “new […]

(IPI/IFEX) – The following is a 17 December 2003 IPI press release: Vienna, 17 December 2003 IPI Calls on Ethiopian Government to Abandon Draft Press Law In a report released today, the International Press Institute (IPI), described the draft press law as a “severe and unnecessary restriction on the right of journalists to practice their […]

(IFJ/IPI/IFEX) – The following is a joint IFJ and IPI press release: IFJ and IPI Condemn Ban on Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the world’s largest journalists’ organisation and the International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 115 countries, sharply […]

(EFJA/IFEX) – In a 2 December 2003 letter to EFJA, the Ministry of Justice’s Associations’ Registration Office announced that it was suspending the following EFJA executive committee members from their positions: 1. Kifle Mulat, President 2. Taye Belachew, Vice-President 3. Tamru Geda, Public Relations Head 4. Sisai Agena, Treasurer 5. Habtamu Assefa, Accountant In the […]

(EFJA/IFEX) – The following is an EFJA statement: In a 2 December 2003 letter to EFJA, the Ministry of Justice’s Associations’ Registration Office banned the organisation’s executive committee from carrying out EFJA activities. The executive committee members are: 1. Kifle Mulat – President 2. Taye Belachew – Vice-President 3. Sisay Agena – Treasurer 4. Tamiru […]

(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has condemned as intimidation the government’s closure of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association (EFJA) following its strong criticism of a harsh new press law due to come into effect by the end of 2003. The EFJA, which represents the independent written press in the absence of any privately-owned radio or television, […]

(EFJA/IFEX) – The following is an EFJA statement: In a 10 November 2003 letter to EFJA, the Ministry of Justice’s Associations’ Registration Office banned the organisation from carrying out its activities. EFJA obtained official recognition seven years after its establishment and for the past three years has been carrying out its work under very difficult […]

(EFJA/IFEX) – The following is an EFJA Executive Committee statement: EFJA’s existence at a crucial point Government considers taking action to ban EFJA In a statement broadcast on Radio Ethiopia and Ethiopian Television on the evening of 4 November 2003, the Ministry of Justice’s Associations’ Registration Office said it is preparing to take measures against […]

(EFJA/IFEX) – On 9 October 2003, Wessenseged Gebrekidan, editor-in-chief of the weekly newspaper “Etiop”, was summoned by the Central Investigation Department. Gebrekidan reported to police and was released on bail of Eth. Birr 5,000 (approx. US$585) after making a statement. The editor was summoned in connection with a news item entitled “National Military Service Proclamation […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a CPJ letter to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi: October 9, 2003 His Excellency Prime Minister Meles Zenawi Office of the Prime Minister P.O. Box 1031 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Via facsimile: 251-155-2020 Your Excellency: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply concerned by the recent violent attack on Araya Tesfa […]

(EFJA/IFEX) – The following is a 6 October 2003 EFJA statement: Journalist beaten up Araya Tesfa Mariam, a journalist with the Amharic-language weekly newspaper “Itiop”, was beaten up by unidentified individuals at about 9.00 p.m. (local time) on 1 October 2003, while on his way home. He sustained very serious physical injuries and is receiving […]

(EFJA/IFEX) – On 20 August 2003, three journalists from the weekly newspaper “Al-Nejashi” were imprisoned and fined following a Sharia Court decision. Publisher Arif Abdul Kadir, managing editor Awol Kedir and editor in-chief Yusuf Getachew were each handed one-month prison sentences and fines ranging from 600 to 1000 Eth. birr (US$70 to $117). The three […]

(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 22 May 2003 letter to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, CPJ stated that it is deeply disturbed by the recent jailing of Melese Shine, editor-in-chief of the Amharic-language weekly “Ethiop”. Another journalist, Tewodros Kassa, the former editor-in-chief of “Ethiop”, has been imprisoned since May 2002. Shine was charged with defamation under Ethiopia’s […]

(EFJA/IFEX) – A state prosecutor has charged Wosenseged Gebrekidan, deputy editor-in-chief of “It ‘op” newspaper, with “publishing and disseminating an article in ‘It’op’ newspaper no. 343 that libels Habte Mariam Seyoum”. Gebrekidan is accused of dismissing the former ambassador’s statements regarding his diplomatic efforts during the Ethio-Eritrean war, and in connection with issues relating to […]