The International Federation of Journalists (FIJ) today expressed her concern in relation to the situation of 14 journalists arbitrarily held in Ethiopia since 6 months. The journalists are reported to have started a hunger strike on April 17 and their health conditions are seriously deteriorating. Among the detained journalists is a 7 months pregnant woman, Serkalem Fasil, who has not been receiving proper medical attention.
These journalists were arrested at the time of the anti-government riots, following the 2005 elections in Ethiopia, which were violently suppressed by the security forces in November. The journalists are charged with treason and could face a possible death sentence or life imprisonment, if found guilty.
Also among the detainees is Abraham Reta, a freelance journalist who was arrested on 24 April 2006 and condemned the same day to one year imprisonment. Two journalists of the public television channel ETV, Shiferraw Insermu and Dhabassa Wakjira, have been in jail since 22 April 2004.
“This list is not exhaustive since there are approximately 20 journalists who are suffering wrongfully in Ethiopian prisons. It is even difficult to collect information on the exact number of journalists in prison and to assess their conditions, because of the reign of terror that the country is subjected to”, declared Gabriel Baglo, the Director of the Africa Office of the IFJ.
“We protest vigorously against this blind repression of the press and demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all the journalists held in Ethiopia, since there is no solid evidence against the ridiculous charges continued Mr. Baglo.” It is a shame for the government of Meles Zenawi to hold the sad record of the country with the highest number imprisoned journalists, as well as the country with the largest number of journalists in exile in Africa “concluded Gabriel Baglo.
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The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 110 countries
