Members of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association (EFJA) would like to draw your attention to the situation of Ethiopian journalists living in Kenya and in Ethiopian prisons. We have fled our country due to the crackdown on freedom of expression in Ethiopia in 2005 and in earlier years.
We came to Kenya, often by foot, leaving our families behind, to avoid persecution and imprisonment by the Ethiopian government. We are now 10 Ethiopian independent journalists living in Nairobi.
In June and November last year, the Ethiopian regime launched a fierce crackdown on opposition leaders and followers, human rights activists, ordinary people and journalists. More than 80 people died during clashes between the police and antigovernment protesters. The authorities have jailed at least 18 reporters, under our country’s extremely repressive press law. Our colleagues now face charges such as treason, genocide and attempting to overthrow the Constitution. One of them is a female publisher who is seven months pregnant. All have been denied bail.
We want to be the voice of our voiceless colleagues imprisoned in horrible conditions in Ethiopia.
On May 2nd, one day before the celebration of the International Press Freedom Day, Ethiopian journalists in Nairobi will organize the following events:
A press conference and presentation of a detailed document containing information about our situation and press freedom in Ethiopia, at Chester House at 11:00 AM
A candle light vigil between 2:00 PM and 3:30 PM at the entrance of the Ethiopian Embassy (State House Crescent).
We call on all supporters of freedom of expression and democracy to support us in this campaign. We are also available for interviews.
