Ethiopia

(NDIMA/IFEX) – On 22 January 1998, the Ethiopian government issued a circular letter requiring journalists applying for an entry visa to have an application submitted to the embassy on their behalf by their employer 15 days before the intended visit. The letter added that the application must state the purpose of the visit, including the […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – IFJ has received the following information related to the 13 February death of Abay Hailu, editor of the “Wolafen.” Hailu was incarcerated on 22 February 1996 for alleged crimes in relation to articles relating to the threat of Islamic Fundamentalism. He was in prison for two years because he could not meet the […]

(NDIMA/IFEX) – Berhanu Leyewe, managing deputy manager of the Ethiopian weekly newspapers “Keyete” and “Taime Fiqir”, is reported to have been arrested on 22 January 1998. His whereabouts are unknown. Further efforts to contact sources in Ethiopia have been fruitless. HASH(0x9baa744)

(RSF/IFEX) – Four journalists with the private weekly “Tobia” were arrested on 16 January 1998 in Addis Ababa, and the newspaper’s premises were destroyed a few hours later in a fire whose origins remain undetermined. (See Ifex alert) This is the latest episode in a bout of repression which has led 21 journalists to jail […]

(IFJ/IFEX) – On 16 January 1998 four editorial staff members of the “Tobiya” newspaper, Biru Tsegaye, Goshu Mogas, Taye Belachew, and Anteneh Merid, were arrested in Ethiopia. Several hours after the arrests, the offices of “Tobiya” were burnt down. The fire destroyed office equipment as well as valuable databases and archive material. According to Aidan […]

(RSF/IFEX) – During September and October 1997, thirteen independent journalists from various newspapers were arrested in Addis Ababa: On 3 September, Nega Tariku and Wondwossen Melese, two journalists with the newspaper “Kayete”, were arrested. Andualem Mohammed, a journalist with “Tame Feker”, was arrested the same day. On 16 September, Sisay Agena, Tewodros Kasa and Tesfa […]

On 9 July 1996, Mulugeta Lule, manager of the monthly magazine “Tobia” and the vice chairman of the Ethiopian Free Journalists Association, received a telephone call from a Lieutenant Shimelis requesting that he report to the Central Criminal Investigation Department at Ma’ekelawi Prison for questioning. Upon arrival at 10:00 hours, Lule was interrogated by a […]

**Updates IFEX alert dated 25 June 1996** Bekele Dissassa, a distributor of publications including “Urji” newspaper and magazine, was released from prison during the first week of June 1996. He had been detained since April 1996. Bekele is a resident of Nekempte and distributes “Urji” in the Nekempte area. Appeals To

**Updates IFEX alerts dated 3 January 1996, 13, and 12 December 1995** The following are lists issued by CPJ of Ethiopian journalists who have been released, are currently in detention or are serving sentences, as well as those who are missing or have gone into hiding. Journalists detained and released: 1. Garoma Bekele, publisher of […]

On 7 June 1996, Sintayehu Abate, editor-in-chief of the Amharic- language newspaper “Remet”, was sentenced by the Central High Court to one year in prison for publishing a pornographic photograph and material in the 12 October 1995 issue of the newspaper. He is being held in Central Prison in Addis Ababa. Recommended Action Send appeals […]

On 26 March 1996, State Security police arrested approximately six editors, reporters and clerical employees of the newspapers “Ethiop” and “Tekwami” as copies of the newspapers were being printed in the city of Bole. Police seized the newspapers’ galleys and transported the journalists to Ma’ekelawi prison. Family members confirmed that Dereje Haile, a journalist for […]

**Updates IFEX CH alerts dated 15 December, 27 October and 26 August 1994** Goshu Mogues, editor of the weekly “Tobia”, sentenced to six months in prison, has since been released on bail. Habtamu Belete of “Rukhama”, has since been released after completing a six month prison term. Source: Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association, Addis Ababa

Source: Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association, Addis Ababa Eighteen journalists were arrested by plainclothes policemen in the first week of December 1994, reports the IFJ. The arrests are said to be part of a campaign of intimidation and harassment of journalists of the independent weeklies in Addis Ababa by security agents of the transitional government […]