We are banned Ethiopian journalists who were charged with treason by
the government of PM Meles Zenawi subsequent to disputed election
results in 2005, incarcerated under deplorable circumstances, only to
be acquitted sixteen months later; after Serkalem Fasil
prematurely gave birth in prison.
Severely underweight at birth because Serkalem’s physical and
psychological privation in one of Africa’s worst prisons, an incubator
was deemed life-saving to the new-born child by prison doctors; which
was, in an act of incomprehensible vindictiveness, denied by the
authorities. (The child nevertheless survived miraculously. Thanks to
God.)
Such is the government that PM Meles Zenawi leads.
Despite Serkalem’s difficult pregnancy, both of us managed to keep
detailed notes of the sham trial while it was in progress, which were
smuggled out of prison. The notes were swiftly altered into a 1000
pages book three months after our acquittal, and rushed to a printer
for publication. Arrangements were made to publish the book in two
parts, and a sixty thousand birr (five to six thousand US dollars)
deposit was paid for an approximately 570 pages book.
Fifteen days later we received an unexpected call from a much
traumatized proprietor of the printing press, who returned our
manuscript and deposit explaining that he had been visited by members
of the Ethiopian security, who explicitly threatened his life should
he fail to halt printing of the book.
Such is the government that PM Meles Zenawi leads.
A few months later we applied for a press license to resume our work
as journalists after fulfilling all legal requirements. To the
surprise of even the government’s apologists, we and others were
officially denied press licenses that are our due by virtue of the
constitution and the press law. Ethiopia now has no independent press.
In place of one of Africa’s most fiery free press is a token press
that is cowed in every sense of the word. And thus many free press
journalists have been exiled.
Such is the government that PM Meles Zenawi leads.
It is incongruous that a leader who is actively suppressing freedom of
expression in his country should now be eagerly awaiting the privilege
of expressing his thoughts on the august premises of Columbia
University. Though it is hardly to the insight of PM Meles Zenawi ,
Columbia University has always sided with the voiceless and the
victims of oppression throughout its long and magnificent history.
While we acknowledge his right to express his views, it is an affront
to his government’s numerous victims of repression to grant him the
privilege to do so on the notable premises of Columbia.
All in all, the enthrallment of WLF with despots instead of their
victims is strikingly lopsided. The time for a correction has come.
All the best,
Serkalem Fasil and Eskinder Nega.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
—
CC: Professor Joseph Stiglitz , Professor Jeffrey Sachs
