Ethiopia: International condemnation for using terrorism law to stifle free speech

GOVERNMENTS / INTERGOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS

U.S. State Department criticizes Ethiopia for “politicized use” of terror law to clamp down on free speech.

U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy describes sentence as “a mockery of any pretense of justice in Ethiopia” and “an insidious abuse of power that should have serious repercussions from the United States and the international community.”

U.S. Congressional Black Caucus condemns Ethiopia’s use of laws “presumably intended to criminalize acts of terrorism as a sword to take down journalists who have spoken out against the government.” The statement added: “Not only does the Ethiopian government misuse national security laws, but its actions devalue its standing in the international community.”

E.U. Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton “seriously concerned” by Ethiopia sentences.

UK Minister for Africa Henry Bellingham “deeply concerned” about sentences, and “breadth of application of the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation risks undermining freedom of expression and limiting political space in Ethiopia.”

United Nations human rights experts condemn use of anti-terrorism laws to curb freedom of expression in Ethiopia

African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights “gravely alarmed by the arrests and prosecutions of journalists and political opposition members, charged with terrorism and other offences including treason, for exercising their peaceful and legitimate rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association.”

PUBLIC FIGURES / MEDIA

Salman Rushdie calls Eskinder’s sentence “appalling” via Twitter. “Journalism, dissent are now "terrorism" in Ethiopia?”

George Ayittey calls for Ethiopian people to expel African Union for failing to enforce its own charter viat Twitter.

The Economist says Eskinder Nega was “Jailed for doing his job,” and describes his imprisonment as the “bad side” of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who “likes to present himself to the world as a peacemaker and a paragon of development.”

New York Times Op-Ed by Tobias Haggman accuses U.S. and other donors of “Supporting stability, Abetting Repression in Ethiopia.”

In The New Yorker, Charlayne Hunter-Gault describes Ethiopia as “a great test case" for U.S. new Africa strategy which prioritizes democracy. “Once freedom fighters, Ethiopia's current rulers "risk turning into freedom's enemies," she writes.

In The New York Review of Books, William Easterly, Peter Godwin, Aryeh Neier, Kenneth Roth, and Joel Simon call on President Obama and world leaders to “denounce the use of terrorism charges to jail journalists and others who are exercising their universally-guaranteed right to freedom of expression in Ethiopia.”

PRESS FREEDOM & HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS

International Press Institute says decision undermines “fight against actual terrorists.”

Committee to Protect Journalists says Ethiopia has “criminalized free expression.”

Freedom Now Says Ethiopia “violates international law.”

U.S National Press Club President Calls Sentence “miscarriage of justice.”

PEN/American Center Calls for U.S. and other donors to “reflect on their partnerships” with Ethiopia.

Amnesty International says Ethiopia determined to “gag any dissenting voice.”

Human Rights Watch executive director calls sentence “draconian” via Twitter.

IFEX Says Ethiopia seeking to “stifle freedom of expression” with Eskinder’s sentence.