In Ethiopia, High Court Sentences Six Journalists to Prison, Four to Life

CPJ -- Ethiopia’s High Court today handed down harsh criminal penalties, including life prison sentences, against six journalists and three publishers on anti-state charges in connection with critical coverage of the government during the deadly unrest in the aftermath of disputed parliamentary elections in 2005, according to local journalists.

At least 200 people packed the courtroom in the capital, Addis Ababa, as editors Andualem Ayele of Ethiop, Zelalem Gebre of Menelik, Mesfin Tesfaye of Abay, and Abiy Gizaw of Netsanet were handed life prison sentences and stripped of all civic rights forever, according to defense lawyer Weneawake Ayele. The prosecution last week had requested the death penalty for Tesfaye and Ayele, according to news reports. Gebre and Gizaw were sentenced in absentia.

“Receiving a life sentence for criticizing the government is not only outrageous but galling,” CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said. “These severe penalties are out of step with international norms and undermine the democratic credentials of Ethiopia’s government.”

More than 190 people were killed and dozens of opposition leaders and 14 journalists were put on official “wanted lists,” then jailed, when authorities crushed post-election protests alleging poll-rigging by the ruling party in November 2005, following the May elections. The journalists and publishers sentenced today on “outrages against the constitutional order” charges had all produced Amharic-language weeklies that were shuttered in the crackdown. Before 2005, more than 20 newspapers flourished in the country. Today, only five publish under intense self-censorship.

Meanwhile, editor Wenakseged Zeleke of Asqual was sentenced to three years in prison, and deputy editor Dawit Fassil of Satanaw to 18 months in prison, according to Ayele. The court also ordered the civic rights of the journalists suspended for five years. Fassil, who had been released on bail in April after 16 months in prison on charges of “inciting the public through false rumors,” was returned, along with the other defendants, to Kality prison on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, according to local journalists.

Fassil’s publisher, Serkalem Publishing House, which is also publisher of Asqual and Menelik newspapers, and Sisay Publishing and Advertising Enterprise, publisher of Ethiop, were ordered dissolved and fined respectively 120,000 birr (US$13,500) and 100,000 birr (US$11,000) on related charges of committing or supporting outrages to the constitutional order, Ayele said. A third publisher, Fasil, which put out the Addis Zena newspaper, was fined 15,000 birr (US$1,700).

The journalists and publishers, who were sentenced today along with more than 20 opposition leaders, “could” appeal the sentences with Ethiopia’s Federal Supreme Court, Ayele told CPJ. But Information Minister Bereket Simon told the BBC the defendants had “admitted” to attempting to violently overthrow the government and had “asked for clemency.”

Following the sentencing today, state television reported that a plea for clemency had been submitted to the prime minister’s office, according to local journalists. The statement, bearing the signatures of all the defendants, including journalists, accepted full responsibility for the post-election violence, they said.

Two other editors, Wosonseged Gebrekidan of Addis Zena and Dawit Kebede of Hadar, jailed since November 2005, were still on trial on related charges, but did not risk life imprisonment or death, according to local journalists.

“Sadly, this is just the latest example of the authorities’ ongoing repression of the independent press which led CPJ to this year name Ethiopia the world’s worst backslider on press freedom,” Simon said.

Annan to Lead Green Revolution for African Agriculture

Planet Ark -- Nairobi Africa needs a "green revolution" to double agricultural output and end chronic food insecurity in the world's poorest continent, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Monday.

The former top diplomat is the chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, set up last year with a US$150 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation.

"We are the only continent that has not gone through a green revolution and we are the only continent that cannot feed itself this is not sustainable," Annan told a news conference in Nairobi.

Annan said the Nairobi-based group hoped to replicate farm changes that boosted agricultural productivity in countries like India in the 1970s.

"I hope that in 10 to 20 years or so we will be able to double Africa's agricultural productivity," he said.

According to the United Nations, food insecurity in Africa is worsened by weak institutions, insufficient investment in agriculture by governments and donors, and a harsh environment made worse by climate change, corruption and mismanagement.

He said the group would focus on helping Africa's millions of small-scale farmers fight poverty and boost productivity by providing stronger and more resistant seed varieties, and improving access to farm inputs and markets.

Annan said the group would not seek to spearhead the use of genetically modified seeds, which have been a controversial subject in some African countries, but would use traditional methods to boost disease resistance of existing seeds.

"The decisions on using genetically modified technology area decisions for African governments," he said.

PM MELES ZENAWI DEFENDING GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS
"Should we rule out GM crops or biotechnology as a weapon in our arsenal? No. Why should we rule out any technology? GM technology is like every [other] technology," Meles told journalists. "It could be used well, or it could be misused. The issue is how to use it well. I think it can be used well if is used safely and if it does not increase the already big power of huge multinationals at the expense of the small-scale farmer."

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Defending a Dictator in the Name of "National Interest"

KINIJIT -- The president of the United States, the leading democratic nation in the world statement on the second inaugural speech on January 20, 2005:

“Today, America speaks anew to the peoples of the world: All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know; the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you. Democratic reformers facing repression, prison, or exile can know; America sees you for who you are: the future leaders of your free country.”

The US government supports Meles Zenawi regime under the banner of fighting Terrorism at the Horn of Africa. Meles with his deceptive character has enticed the US military Generals that are training the “Agazi” assassins in Ethiopia to cascade information to the Pentagon and the US administration that Meles is an important partner in the fight against terrorism and it is in the best interest of the US foreign policy to support the Ethiopian current government.

It is a shameful act for the US administration to allow Meles Zenawi, the twenty first century “Grand Dictator and Terrorist” of Ethiopia to keep on brutalizing Ethiopian citizens that are against Meles political agenda. Kinijit Leaders and all political prisoners are paying a heavy price so Democracy can shine in Ethiopia for the next generation. A Democratic Ethiopia that has a free and fare election, independent judicial system, and an army/police that is fee of the ruling party will best server the United States “national interest”.

Under the watch of the current US administration, that promised on the inaugural speech: “We will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressor. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you” has ignored the cry for help, and allowed Meles Zenawi regime to oppress the people of Ethiopia.

The current US administration must change their foreign policy, stop supporting brutal dictators like Meles Zenawi, and set an example to the world those who deny freedom to others will no longer be tolerated.