Dear friends of the pro-democracy
movement!
Yalemzewd
was hauled before the court a few days ago, to face the usual
ridiculous charges. She was dragged into prison last year as
well, but there is a big difference between now and then. Last
year, the international media was all over her case. This time
they remained completely mum. The huge media coverage is likely
to have contributed to her being freed on bail. The silence
this time could mean she will be imprisoned again, this time
away from the media limelight. Please make sure the light is
shone on her case!
EACA composed
the below letter to the editor, sent to The Economist magazine.
Please contact all other media outlets which reported on Yalemzewd’s
case in October but were silent this time. Feel free to use
this letter and adapt and personalise it.
Ethiopian
American Civic Advocacy (EACA)
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Dear Editor,
While we
appreciate your recent coverage ("Off with their heads,
maybe", 12. July 2007) of the political charges against
pro-democracy leaders in Ethiopia, conspicuous by its absence
was the fact that an important figure in the Ethiopian pro-democracy
movement -- and a European Commission employee -- was charged
with grave charges in Ethiopian courts.
Last year you reported (“Soviet School”, 26. Oct.
2006) about the imprisonment by the Ethiopian government of
the European Commission lawyer and human rights activist, Ms.
Yalemzewd Bekele. Given her status as an employee of a major
donor agency operating in Ethiopia, and given the longstanding
repressive actions of the Ethiopian government against dissenters
and human rights defenders, Ms. Bekele’s imprisonment
had received substantial international coverage. It is likely
that it is due to this coverage that Ms. Bekele was freed on
bail.
However,
Ms. Bekele was recently (9. July) charged by the Ethiopian courts
of “attempting to overthrow the Ethiopian government”
a charge, which may carry severe punishment, similar to those
faced by the imprisoned leaders of the Coalition of Unity and
Democracy (CUD), the main opposition party in Ethiopia. Ms.
Bekele's contribution to the fight for human rights in Ethiopia
is well acknowledged; she is this year’s nominee for the
Bindmans Law and Campaigning Award, an award which recognises
the outstanding work of lawyers and campaigners in promoting
freedom of expression and fighting censorship.
Despite
the substantial attention given to the imprisonment of the European
Commission employee last year, the severe charges recently handed
down on her case by the government courts practically went by
unnoticed by the international media. Given her profession and
position, if sentenced, this would mean not only another realisation
of an unjust and politically motivated ruling, but could bring
about another bout of crisis between the Meles Zenawi government
and the donor community in Ethiopia.we want to urge you to give
coverage to Ms. Bekele’s case, given the larger political
implications of the government’s decision on her fate.
Sincerely,
Ethiopian American Civic Advocacy (EACA)
PO.Box 1292
Lorton, Virginia 22199-1292
USA
+1-703-665 4042
www.eacamoveon.org
eacadvocacy@gmail.com
