Release of five Ethiopian journalists is a positive step,
but others remain in detention – UN expert
GENEVA (10 July 2015) – The United Nations Special
Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye, welcomed
yesterday’s release of two bloggers who contributed to the independent
Ethiopian collective ‘Zone 9’ and four other journalists, but noted that other
journalists remain in detention in Ethiopia charged under the anti-terror law.
“The reported release of six Ethiopian journalists is an
important positive move,” Mr. Kaye said. “I only hope this to be the first of
other similar steps to be taken by authorities releasing other journalists and
activists who continue to be in detention for exercising their legitimate
work.”
The bloggers, who used an online platform to report on
social and political issues in Ethiopia, were arrested in 2014 and remained in
detention for over one year. Four other Zone 9 bloggers arrested last year
reportedly remain in detention.
The Special Rapporteur jointly with the Special
Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, had
previously expressed their concern* on the prolonged bloggers’ detention and on
the use of national security concerns to curb freedom of expression and
association.
“Prosecuting and jailing journalists or activists for
carrying out their vital work of informing public debate are not only
unacceptable in international law, but can hardly contribute to national
security,” Mr. Kaye stated. “National security provisions need to be clearly
defined in Ethiopian criminal law, and they must not be abused.”
The Special Rapporteur called on the Ethiopian
authorities to take this opportunity to carefully revise the country laws and
practices dealing with the media and civil society organizations, and noted his
interest in further cooperating with authorities and visiting the country.
Mr. Kaye’s comments to the Ethiopian authorities were
endorsed by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of
association, Maina Kiai.
(*) Check the news release: Continued detention of
Ethiopian journalists unacceptable – UN human rights experts (24 April
2015):
ENDS
David Kaye (USA) was appointed as Special Rapporteur on
the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
in August 2014 by the United Nations Human Rights Council. The UN Special
Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human
Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in
the UN Human Rights, is the general name of the independent fact-finding and
monitoring mechanisms of the Human Rights Council that address either specific
country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special
Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not
receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or
organization and serve in their individual capacity. Learn more, log on to:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/FreedomOpinion/Pages/OpinionIndex.aspx
UN Human Rights, country page – Ethiopia:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/AfricaRegion/Pages/ETIndex.aspx
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