Reporters Without Borders honored the trio “Terrorist” Journalists

 

Theodros Arega
Stockholm, Sweden
Yesterday, on May 3 at the United Nations World Day for Press Freedom, parts of speech organization RSF (Reporters Without Borders) Swedish chapter granted its Press Freedom Award 2013 to Mesfin Negash, Ethiopian exiled journalist and to the duo Swedish journalists Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson.

According to RSF’s press release the annual press freedom award is intended in honor of people who are fighting for free speech around the world. The award is focusing this year on Ethiopia, a country that systematically silences anti-regime voices. They get the award because they dared to challenge the limits of press freedom in a country where free journalism branded as terrorism.
Following the award, Mesfin Negash says “First and foremost, I see Press Freedom award in recognition of my Ethiopian journalist colleagues who either imprisoned or working in difficult conditions. Personally, being awarded is an encouragement to continue my work in exile.”
Swedish freelance journalist Martin Schibbye who was imprisoned for 14 months and released last September on his part says that “We are honored, above all, it feels great to be physically able to receive the prize. We could stop counting after 438 days, a number of our colleagues in Ethiopia still counting. Colleague Reeyot Alemu has today been jailed for 685 days for having done her job”.
The photographer Johan Persson underscored that The threats to freedom of the press must be challenged with more journalism. There needs to be continued effort to monitor what is happening in the country which remains the world leader when it comes to predator of free speech and forcing journalists to flee their country.

Open letter to Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations

 

by Ephrem Shaul
I am writing this letter with believe that your office will coordinate and act for demanding the release of political prisoners in Ethiopia.
We Ethiopians also expected from your recent trip that you would raise the need for genuine democratic change and respect of freedom of speech in Ethiopia. We believed that your Excellency would publicly request for the release of all political prisoners in Ethiopia. Unfortunately in the statement with Tedros you have publically raised nothing in this regard. Ethiopians have been requesting from your office for a principled support to secure the release of all political prisoners and towards genuine democratic transition.

The belligerence act the current totalitarian regime in Ethiopia has made the country practically one party state. Its brutal imprisoning of political opponents and critics, with trumped up charges, violates Ethiopia’s constitution and international laws. Moreover the United Nations panel of five independent experts ruled that Eskinder’s imprisonment came “as a result of his peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression.”
However the kangaroo “supreme court” in the country yesterday upholds the 18 years illegal sentencing on Eskinder Nega and life imprisonment on Andualem Arage. In this regards the United States stated “it is disappointed that Ethiopia’s Federal Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Eskinder and Andualem”. In spite of this worsening situation in Ethiopia, coordinated and insistent approach from the international community particularly the United States and Europe never materialized.
I request Your Excellency to coordinate a united response by the international community against the repressive act of the regime to secure the release of all political prisoners in Ethiopia and for genuine democratic transition. I again further stress the need to devise a mechanism to reach intended poor people than channeling climate funding, facilitated by your office, for the current repressive regime in Ethiopia. The climate funding for the current dictatorial and repressive regime in the country neither reaches the intended poor nor contributes for democracy in country.
Highest Regards,