(EFJA/IFEX) – On 15 March 2002, Gezaw Taye Wordofa, editor-in-chief of the Amharic weekly newspaper “Lamrot”, was put under police custody on charges of publishing and disseminating “immoral and indecent literature” in the April-May 2000 edition of the newspaper. On 21 March, Gezaw appeared before the Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court. The court […]
(EFJA/IFEX) – On 15 March 2002, Gezaw Taye Wordofa, editor-in-chief of the Amharic weekly newspaper “Lamrot”, was put under police custody on charges of publishing and disseminating “immoral and indecent literature” in the April-May 2000 edition of the newspaper. On 21 March, Gezaw appeared before the Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court. The court set bail for the defendant at 2,000 birr (approx. US$238) and ruled that he must fight his case outside court. Gezaw was imprisoned for failing to produce bail.
On 22 March, Berhanu Mamo, editor-in-chief of the “Abyssinia” newspaper and magazine, appeared before the Second Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court on charges of violating the Press Proclamation by publishing an article entitled, “Oromigna speaking generals fall under the suspicion ring of Tigrigna speakers”. The defendant was released on bail of 1,000 birr (approx. US$119). His case is pending.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– protesting the legal actions faced by the two editors-in-chief
– expressing concern about the serious challenges faced by Ethiopian journalists and the threat to their democratic rights
Appeals To
H.E. Ato Meles Zenawi
Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Fax: +251 1 552 020
H.E. Ato Siyum Mesfin
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Fax: +251 1 514 300
H.E. Ato Harka Hariye
Minister of Justice
Fax: +251 1 51 08 73
H.E. Ato Bereket Simon
Minister of Information
c/o National Parliament
Fax: +251 1 550 722
E-mail: national.parliament@telecom.net.et
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
