Ethiopia: Attack on Member of the Civil Society Community

This is to inform you that on Sunday, 16th October 2005, at around 8:00 pm Ato Daniel Bekele, an Ethiopian citizen and the Policy, Research and Advocacy Manager for ActionAid Ethiopia, was attacked by two armed men.

According to the victim’s recollection of the events, two armed men opened the door on the driver’s side of the car. One of the attackers then directly addressed the victim and said: “who are you to criticise EPRDF?” Then both started to hit him on the eye and the head with the handle of their pistol with the intention to make permanent damage. Fortunately, apart from the multiple wounds on his heads and left eye and the unexpected trauma he went through, currently Daniel is in good health.

In light of the manner in which this incident took place as well as the statement made by one of the attackers, we have reason to believe that this vicious assault was politically motivated. It is to be recalled that Ato Daniel Bekele was an active member of the Executive Committee of the Network of Ethiopian NGOs and CSOs which monitored the May 15th 2005 election and has expressed his views and opinions in the media during the course of the electoral process.

ActionAid Ethiopia expresses its great disappointment by this irresponsible act of terror and vehemently condemns the perpetrators. We would also like to request members of the Civil Society Sector, International Communities and Media to join hands and condemn such act of intimidation and human rights violations, which is directed on people and organisations that are committed to the promotion of democracy, good governance and respect to human rights in Ethiopia.