Ethiopia: journalists' association executive committee members suspended

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ACTION ALERT UPDATE - ETHIOPIA

4 December 2003

EFJA protests suspension of executive committee members

SOURCE: Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (EFJA), Addis Ababa

**Updates IFEX alerts of 2 December and 12, 10 and 5 November 2003**

(EFJA/IFEX) - In a 2 December 2003 letter to EFJA, the Ministry of Justice's
Associations' Registration Office announced that it was suspending the
following EFJA executive committee members from their positions:
1. Kifle Mulat, President
2. Taye Belachew, Vice-President
3. Tamru Geda, Public Relations Head
4. Sisai Agena, Treasurer
5. Habtamu Assefa, Accountant

In the letter, the Associations' Registration Office said it took the action
based on allegations that the aforementioned executive committee members
have not been willing to execute a series of orders it has issued. The
suspension was effective as of 2 December.

The Associations' Registration Office sent copies of the letter to the
Ministry of Information, the Federal Police Commission, the Addis Ababa City
Administration Police Commission and other government bodies, notifying them
that the aforementioned members of EFJA's executive committee do not
represent the organisation and that the authorities should take appropriate
action if they find these individuals engaged in activities associated with
EFJA.

International press institutions and human rights organisations and
activists are in the process of protesting a 10 November Associations'
Registration Office action, which ordered the EFJA to cease relations with
third parties and forced the closure of its offices.

The Ethiopian government, in flagrant violation of the Constitution and
international human rights declarations has suspended EFJA and the EFJA's
executive committee, which was elected by the organisation's general
assembly.

EFJA calls on the Ethiopian people and the international community to
strongly condemn the measures taken by the government.

Members of EFJA will continue to vigorously defend their constitutional
rights and freedoms. EFJA further urges its colleagues, international
institutions, governments and those who support democracy and peace to
respond immediately in support of Ethiopian free press journalists and the
Ethiopian people's call for freedom and democracy.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Send appeals to authorities:
- protesting the government's actions against EFJA

APPEALS TO:

H.E. Ato Harka Hariye
Justice Minister
P.O. Box 1031
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: +251 1 520 874

H.E Ato Meles Zenawi
Prime Minister
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
P.O. Box 1031
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: +251 1 552 020

House of Representatives
P.O. Box 80001
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: +251 1 550 900

H.E. Ato Girma Wolde Giorgis
President
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
P.O. Box 1031
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: +251 1 555 020

Federal Police Commissioner
P.O. Box 199
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: +251 1 534 253

H.E Ato Bereket Simon
Information Minister
Fax: +251 1 533 510
E-mail: [email protected]

Please copy appeals to the source if possible.

For further information, contact Kifle Mulat, President, EFJA, P.O. Box
31317 / 33232, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, tel/fax: +251 1 55 50 21, mobile: +251
1 (09) 222 939, e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

The information contained in this action alert update is the sole
responsibility of EFJA. In citing this material for broadcast or
publication, please credit EFJA.
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