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

25 April 2000

Dear Minister,

The International Press Institute (IPI) calls 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 April 17 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 also 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 full and undivided attention to finding the perpetrators of this crime and to bringing them before an Ethiopian criminal court. Attacks on the press, whether physical or to their 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.

Furthermore, IPI invites 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.

We thank you for your attention.

Yours faithfully,

Johann P. Fritz
Director