Journalists Ordered to Report Within 24 Hours

A new wave of harassing free press journalists is reappearing!

As may be recalled, state repressive measures against the Ethiopian free press journalists has markedly subsided over the past several months. At present, however, the government seems to have resumed the repression once again.

A new wave of harassing journalists, who are responsible in reporting news for the free press, is reappearing as of today (June 1, 2005).

1. Zelalem Gebre, Editor in-Chief of Menilik newspaper 2. Serkalem Fassil, Deputy Editor in-Chief of Menilik newspaper 3. Abiye Gizaw, Editor in-Chief of Netsanet newspaper 4. Dereje Habtewold, Deputy Editor in-Chief of Netsanet newspaper 5. Mesfin Tesfaye Editor in-Chief of Abay newspaper 6. Fekadu Indrias, Deputy Editor in-Chief of Abay newspaper received today June 1/2005 a written order from the Federal Central Investigation Office to report to the police on 2 June, 2005 tommorow.

It is not known whether they would be entitled to bail rights after they make statements to the police.

The Ethiopian Free press Journalists' Association (EFJA) has been quite worried about these recent unwelcome developments.

Latest development

Eight free press journalists are under arrest:

1. Zelalem Gebre, Editor in-Chief of Menilik newspaper 2. Serkalem Fassil, Deputy Editor in-Chief of Menilik newspaper 3. Abiye Gizaw, Editor in-Chief of Netsanet newspaper 4. Dereje Habtewold, Deputy Editor in-Chief of Netsanet newspaper 5. Mesfin Tesfaye Editor in-Chief of Abay newspaper 6. Fekadu Indrias, Deputy Editor in-Chief of Abay newspaper 7. Fassil Yenalem Editor in-Chief of Addis Zena newspaper 8. Simret G/Mariam, Deputy Editor in-Chief of Addis Zena news paper.

We call on all the Ethiopian people, international press institutions of which EFJA is a member and international friends of the free press to closely follow the great danger hovering over the free press and the measures that could be taken to challenge its very existence.

The Ethiopian Free press Journalists' Association (EFJA) calls on all its members, who should without being disturbed by undemocratic measures and threats, to continue to fulfill their obligation of informing and enlightening the public in accordance with the law and their professional Code of Ethics.

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