The following is a statement by Kifle Mulat, President of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association (EFJA), being distributed by the IFJ: EFJA attains government recognition after seven years! The EFJA obtained a certificate of legal recognition from the FDRE Ministry of Justice. The certificate of recognition is dated March 13/2000. EFJA, that was established […]
The following is a statement by Kifle Mulat, President of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association (EFJA), being distributed by the IFJ:
EFJA attains government recognition after seven years!
The EFJA obtained a certificate of legal recognition from the FDRE Ministry of Justice. The certificate of recognition is dated March 13/2000. EFJA, that was established in 1993 through the vigorous and unrelenting participation of free press journalists, obtained the certificate of recognition seven years after it submitted an application to the pertinent authorities to get registered and legally operate as a local association. The certificate it has received assures EFJA that it has been permitted to carry out its activities.
As may be recalled, many EFJA members have undergone many trials and tribulations in carrying out their duties to serve and enlighten the public. In the process, some EFJA members have sacrificed their lives. Others have been forced to leave their country on allegations that they have violated the Press Law. The cases of members are still pending in court. It is after seven years of bitter and relentless struggle that EFJA attained an important victory. In the course of our struggle many compatriots, international professional colleagues, journalists associations and institutions have extended substantial moral, financial, material and other forms of support to our association. EFJA deeply thanks all those individuals, associations and organisations for their important support and assistance. EFJA is also convinced that such support and assistance will be forthcoming in the future.
The EFJA would like to inform you that they will be issuing statements on:
– The official start of EFJA’s operations within the country
– The setting up of a fully equipped office
– Ways of conducting the EFJA Congress with the full participation of society and international colleagues.
EFJA takes this opportunity to call on members of the associations that have, as vanguards of the struggle, been fulfilling their professional obligations, appropriate organisations and individuals, international institutions, local professional associations and mass organisations to renew their pledge to continue extending their support and assistance.
