IFEX- News from the international freedom of expression community
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ACTION ALERT UPDATE - ETHIOPIA

5 December 2001

Journalist sentenced to one year in jail

SOURCE: Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (EFJA), Addis Ababa

**Updates IFEX alerts on the Bekele case of 8 November and 8 March 2001, 16
October and 19 January 2000 and others; updates alerts on the Zuma case of 9
October, 2 August, 24 and 5 July and 14 June 2001**

(EFJA/IFEX) - EFJA is expressing concern over the alarming increase in the
harassment of journalists, who have been summoned to the Central
Investigation Office and often sentenced to jail terms by the government.

Tilahun Bekele, former editor-in-chief of "Maebel" newspaper and current
editor-in-chief of "Netsebrak" newspaper, was sentenced to a one year jail
term for an article published in October 1996. During its 26 November 2001
session, the court released Bekele, taking into consideration the fact that
he had been imprisoned for more than two years because he was unable to pay
the bail required in the cases against him.

EFJA is also concerned about the deterioration of jailed journalist Tamrat
Zuma's health. According to his family members, Zuma, publisher and
editor-in-chief of "Atkort" newspaper, suffers from hypertension. Zuma has
been behind bars for the last nine months as he is unable to pay bail of
15,000 birr (approx. US$1,875).

EFJA has learned that more than a dozen journalists have recently been
summoned to the Central Investigation Office (Makelawi) and notified that
different press charges have been filed against them.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Send appeals to authorities:
- protesting the arrests of journalists on the pretext of safeguarding the
democratisation process
- requesting Zuma's immediate release so that he can receive the necessary
medical treatment

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 Affairs
c/o National Parliament
Fax: +251 1 51 43 00
E-mail: [email protected]

H.E. Ato Ali Suleyman
Minister of Justice
c/o National Parliament
Fax: +251 1 51 08 73
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 update is the sole
responsibility of EFJA. In citing this material for broadcast or
publication, please credit EFJA.
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