(IPI/IFEX) – In a 25 April 2000 letter to Minister of Justice Werede Woldu Wolde, IPI called upon the Ethiopian police authorities to do everything within their power to bring to justice the culprits responsible for the break-in to the offices of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association (EFJA) and the “Ethio-Time” newspaper. On 17 […]
(IPI/IFEX) – In a 25 April 2000 letter to Minister of Justice Werede Woldu Wolde, IPI called upon the Ethiopian police authorities to do everything within their power to bring to justice the culprits responsible for the break-in to the offices of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association (EFJA) and the “Ethio-Time” newspaper.
On 17 April, in Addis Ababa, thieves broke into the offices of the “Ethio-Time” newspaper, which is also the temporary office of EFJA, and stole tape recorders, computer modems, cameras and other property which has yet to be specified. EFJA will be providing a full financial break-down and a total of the amount stolen at a later date; at the same time they will issue complete details of the criminal act to the Ethiopian public and the international community.
Together with EFJA, IPI calls on the Ethiopian police to give their urgent attention to finding the perpetrators of this crime and to bringing them before an Ethiopian criminal court. Attacks on the media, whether on persons or on property, must be dealt with speedily in order to send a clear signal that the right of a journalist to practice his profession is fundamental to an open and free society.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– calling on the Ethiopian police to give their urgent attention to finding the perpetrators of this crime and to bringing them before an Ethiopian criminal court
– inviting the Ethiopian authorities to provide any possible assistance that they might consider necessary in order to allow the EFJA and “Ethio-Time” to continue with their work
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:
Werede Woldu Wolde
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
P.O. Box 1905
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: +251 1 52 02 78
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
