Canadian Labor Congress condemns government attack on Ethiopia’s civil society

Press Release

February 3, 2006

Re. Ethiopia: Teachers, Journalists and Trade Unionists’ Rights Violated

Dear Prime Minister Meles Zenawi:

On behalf of the Canadian Labour Congress, representing 3 million working women and men throughout Canada, I call on you to uphold the human rights of the many teachers, journalists and trade unionists detained by your government, since November 2005. The whereabouts of some of them are unknown and many have still not been charged nor released.

The Ethiopian Constitution provides that detainees be taken to court within 48 hours of their arrest and informed of the reasons for their detention. While they are waiting for their trials, detainees must have access to legal assistance and be allowed to have visitors. The detainees must therefore be released immediately or charged and brought to court in a fair and transparent process.

Over a hundred teachers, journalists, trade unionists, civil society activists and opposition leaders have been imprisoned in the wake of clashes between protesters and security forces in November. The November clashes followed similar protests in June against election results that the opposition says were rigged. Last Friday again, on January 20, 2006 police opened fire on stone-throwing protesters as annual religious processions were turned into political protests for a second straight day. At least two people were killed and 40 injured in these two days of clashes, according to credible media reports.

On December 16, 2005, fifteen separate charges, including conspiracy, armed insurrection, attempting to subvert the constitution, high treason and genocide, were presented in court by prosecutors against the 131 government opponents and critics detained by Ethiopian authorities, including numerous teachers and trade unionists.

Among those accused are Mr. Kassahun Kebede, Chairman of the Addis Ababa branch of the Ethiopian Teachers Association (ETA), Mrs. Mulunesh Ababayehu, activist member in the ETA Women Wing and Dr. Taye Woldesmiate, ETA President (currently overseas).

Meeting on January 4, 2006, the Second Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court categorically rejected the victims’ appeal to be released on bail. Following the denial of bail, hearings have been adjourned to February 23, 2006.

It is to be recalled that, according to Ethiopian law, being charged of treason does not allow detainees to be released on bail. If found guilty, the accused may face the death penalty. However, defense lawyers have boycotted proceedings for the second time, complaining of being prevented from meeting their clients who, if convicted, face sentences ranging from three years in prison to the death penalty.

These are extremely serious charges. Students’ protests, demanding the release of those detained, have spread to most schools and colleges in Addis Ababa. Students also oppose the act of surrounding schools by armed security forces and soldiers. In Addis Ababa, the Federal police and other security forces broke into school compounds and indiscriminately beat and injured a large number of students and teachers. It is reported that many school girls were severely injured.

The Committee to Protect Journalists reported this week that the Ethiopian government recently expelled The Associated Press correspondent in the country, Anthony Mitchell, who reported news last Friday of renewed clashes between police and protesters in the capital, Addis Ababa. He had to leave on Sunday after government officials gave him 24 hours to depart. Mitchell, a British citizen, who worked in Ethiopia for more than five years, also worked for the U.N. news agency IRIN. The Ethiopian government has imprisoned 16 journalists since November.

The Canadian Labour Congress strongly condemns press freedom violations and the repeated attacks on the integrity and human rights of the Ethiopian Teachers Association leaders and rank and file members. Many of the detained teachers’ spouses have no earnings. With ETA unable to offer financial support as its assets have been frozen since April 1993, the detentions are creating a strain on many families. We fear that this might be another long, arbitrary and non-transparent court case.

The United Nations have been asked by Education International to send a legal observation mission to Ethiopia to assess the validity of the charges, monitor respect for due process at the coming mass trial, and report back to the UN Security Council.

I urge your government to cease this policy of repression of trade union rights, to guarantee the physical integrity and lives of all trade union leaders and activists, and to take action against those police and civilians who have breached the laws protecting trade union rights.

Sincerely,

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