CPJ expresses concern over detained journalists in Ethiopia

CPJ expresses concern over detained journalists in Ethiopia
Dakar, Senegal, 12/15 - The Ethiopian authorities` continued detention of several journalists in that country prompted the New York-based Committee to Protect journalists on Wednesday to write Prime Minister Meles Zenawi a letter expressing its concern over the matter. The CPJ reminded the authorities that at least 13 journalists were arrested in a crackdown on the private press following antigovernment protests in early November."These editors and publishers from the private, Amharic-language press, who were identified on a government `wanted` list publicized on state- owned media, have been detained without charge and denied bail."The journalists were jailed along with dozens of opposition and civil society leaders. Your Excellency has threatened to charge these detainees with treason, which is punishable by death in Ethiopia, " CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper wrote in the letter.From the number of journalists imprisoned around the world for their work as of 1 December 2005, the CPJ found that Ethiopia was the fourth worst jailor of journalists, surpassed only by China, Cuba, and Eritrea, she said."Last week, two more journalists were sentenced to jail terms of three months and 15 months, respectively, for articles published up to seven years ago. The imprisonment brings the total number of journalists jailed in Ethiopia to 15. Ethiopia now has the same number of imprisoned journalists as neighbouring Eritrea," Cooper added."As an organization of journalists dedicated to defending the rights of our colleagues worldwide, the CPJ is writing to express our ongoing concern at Ethiopia`s continued harassment and imprisonment of journalists, and to request further information on the legal status of those currently behind bars," she said."Thank you for your attention to these important matters."
Dakar, Senegal, 12/15 - The Ethiopian authorities` continued detention of several journalists in that country prompted the New York-based Committee to Protect journalists on Wednesday to write Prime Minister Meles Zenawi a letter expressing its concern over the matter. The CPJ reminded the authorities that at least 13 journalists were arrested in a crackdown on the private press following antigovernment protests in early November."These editors and publishers from the private, Amharic-language press, who were identified on a government `wanted` list publicized on state- owned media, have been detained without charge and denied bail."The journalists were jailed along with dozens of opposition and civil society leaders. Your Excellency has threatened to charge these detainees with treason, which is punishable by death in Ethiopia, " CPJ Executive Director Ann Cooper wrote in the letter.From the number of journalists imprisoned around the world for their work as of 1 December 2005, the CPJ found that Ethiopia was the fourth worst jailor of journalists, surpassed only by China, Cuba, and Eritrea, she said."Last week, two more journalists were sentenced to jail terms of three months and 15 months, respectively, for articles published up to seven years ago. The imprisonment brings the total number of journalists jailed in Ethiopia to 15. Ethiopia now has the same number of imprisoned journalists as neighbouring Eritrea," Cooper added."As an organization of journalists dedicated to defending the rights of our colleagues worldwide, the CPJ is writing to express our ongoing concern at Ethiopia`s continued harassment and imprisonment of journalists, and to request further information on the legal status of those currently behind bars," she said."Thank you for your attention to these important matters."