Werede Woldu Wolde
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia

19 May 2000

Your Excellency,

The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors and journalists, is extremely concerned about the plight of journalists in Ethiopia.

Journalists are currently suffering imprisonment, tremendous hardships and death in their attempts to maintain freedom of expression. At present, seven journalists are languishing in jail serving prison sentences for violations of Ethiopia’s strict press laws. Another two journalists remain in prison because of their failure to produce the bail money needed to secure their release. Meanwhile, 32 journalists currently remain on bail pending court hearings while other journalists have been forced into exile.

The extent of the harassment and intimidation suffered by journalists in Ethiopia may be seen in the case of Zemedkune Moges, editor-in-chief of Atkorot newspaper. In December 1997, Moges was sentenced to two years in prison for alleged violations of the press law. Although later released, Moges was rearrested when fresh charges were brought against him for disseminating false information. Although granted bail by the court, he remains in prison because of his inability to pay the bail bond.

Of particular concern is the number of journalists who have died recently. Taking into account the month of May, five journalist have died – two were murdered by unknown gunman while three committed suicide.

IPI believes that the high number of suicides provides manifest evidence of the intolerable pressures and strains that journalists are facing in Ethiopia. The most recent suicide occurred on 30 April when Tewodros Kebede, editor-in-chief of the Free Press Amharic Newspaper, Zog , took his own life. He had previously served a one year sentence for violating press law and was facing further charges which had been laid before the court. At the time of his death he was being sought by the police.

Your Excellency, the employment of the judicial process to stifle and inhibit journalists is contrary to Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states, “everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”. Moreover, the use of “serial” charges against

journalists, forcing them into an endless cycle of “arrest, court and imprisonment” , debases the judicial system and places intolerable mental burdens on the individuals involved.

IPI calls on you to end these pernicious tactics against journalists and to replace current press laws in Ethiopia with laws that enshrine freedom of expression as a fundamental right.

We thank you for your attention.

Johann P. Fritz
Director