David Jones, Foreign editor
The Washington Times
Washington, DC
Dear Mr. Jones:
I was extremely disappointed by the article in today’s Washington
Times by
Betsy Pisik (“Ethiopian leader defends campaign against critics). I
have
received numerous calls from members of the Ethiopian community in
Washington who
are upset and outraged by this article.
Ms. Pisik appears to have made no effort to interview those critics,
and if
she did their comments were not included in the article. It is hardly
surprising – or newsworthy – that an authoritarian leader who has
imprisoned tens of
thousands of innocent civilians is eager to smear his opponents.
It is also surprising that the Washington Times quoted Meles impugning
the
human rights records of the United States and the European Union, which
have
condemned his regime, without challenge. Does the Washington Times
really believe
there is a moral equivalence between the Ethiopian government, which
according to western government engaged in gross violations during the
recent
elections and has killed, beaten and imprisoned its own citizens merely
on the
suspicion that support the
opposition?
It isn’t difficult to find credible sources who will comment on the
nature of
the Meles regime. For example, pending legislation (H. R. 4423)
introduced by
Rep. Chris Smith, states:
Despite improvements in its human rights record, as noted by the
Department
of State in its 2004 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, the
Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia continues to
violate the
internationally-established rights of its citizens, including unlawful
killings by
security forces (including the June 2005 shootings by government
security
forces of more than 40
election demonstrators), arbitrary or politically-motivated arrests,
long
detentions without charge or trial and beatings and torture, with human
rights
violations increasing in the aftermath of the May 15, 2005, elections
and
subsequent protests of suspected election fraud.
The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that Ethiopia continues to
imprison journalists and the Government of Ethiopia continues to refuse
to revise a
repressive media bill that further endangers the right to free speech./
Ms. Pisik’s article presents an inaccurate picture of the situation in
Ethiopia and undermines efforts by Ethiopians to obtain the democratic
and human
rights they, and all people, deserve.
Rather than submit a letter to the editor, which by necessity would
have to
be brief and is unlikely to attract the same level of reader attention
as Ms.
Pisik’s piece, I ask that you consider taking one or more of the
following
actions:
a) cover the Feb. 28 markup for HR 4423 and the March 28
hearing on the
bill – Rep. Smith and his staff have
been working hard to make American policy in Ethiopia consistent with
the
Bush administration’s support for democracy;
b) print an Op-ed
commentary by a
member of the Ethiopian opposition. I would be pleased to submit a
piece that
would set the record straight without referencing Ms. Pisik’s article;
c)
interview and report on the real
situation in Ethiopia. Speak with the families of people who have been
imprisoned on false charges, with the spouses and children of innocent
people who
were killed by Ethiopian police. Report on the fate of political
prisoners of
conscience whose health has deteriorated while they were in custody.
Report on
the reasons behind the opposition’s refusal to participate in
Parliament (these
include changes to Parliamentary procedures imposed by the Meles regime
that
rob the minority party of the right to even participate in debates). I
would
be happy to provide assistance with such reporting.
Finally, you may want to look into the case of Yacob Hailemariam, a
Virginia
Beach resident who has been imprisoned in Ethiopia on preposterous
charges.
The Virginian-Pilot has run some excellent stories about his case. The
paper’s
most recent commentary is here.
