Ethiopia: Two more journalists charged
Two Ethiopian journalists, Wesenseged Gebrekidan, deputy
editor-in-chief of "ETOP" newspaper, and Kidushabet Belachew, editor-in-chief of "Mebrek" newspaper have both been charged by the High Court.
IFEX- News from the international freedom of expression community
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ACTION ALERT - ETHIOPIA
20 November 2001
Two more journalists charged as harassment of free press continues
SOURCE: Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (EFJA), Addis Ababa
(EFJA/IFEX) - On 19 November 2001, Wesenseged Gebrekidan, deputy
editor-in-chief of "ETOP" newspaper, was summoned and notified by the
Central Investigation Office (Makelawi) that a press charge was filed
against him with the Federal High Court's Third Criminal Bench. Gebrekidan
is scheduled to be heard in court on 8 March 2002.
Kidushabet Belachew, editor-in-chief of "Mebrek" newspaper, was also
summoned and notified by the Central Investigation Office (Makelawi) that a
press charge was filed against him with the Federal High Court's Fourth
Criminal Bench. His trial was adjourned to 12 December.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Send appeals to authorities:
- protesting these illegal actions
- expressing concern about the serious challenges that Ethiopian journalists
continue to face in the exercise of their profession
APPEALS TO:
H.E. Ato Meles Zenawi
Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
C/o National Parliament
Fax: +251 1 55 20 20
E-mail: [email protected]
H.E. Ato Siyum Mesfin
Minister of Foreign Affaires
C/o National Parliament
Fax: +251 1 51 43 00
E-mail: [email protected]
H.E. Ato Harka Haroye
Minister of Justice
C/o National Parliament
Fax: +251 1 53 34 78
E-mail: [email protected]
H.E. Ato Bereket Simon
Minister of Information
C/o National Parliament
Fax: +251 1 55 07 22
E-mail: [email protected]
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
For further information, contact Kifle Mulat, President, EFJA, P.O. Box
31317 / 33232, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, tel/fax: +251 1 55 50 21, mobile: +251
1 (09) 222 939, e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
The information contained in this action alert is the sole responsibility of
EFJA. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit
EFJA.
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