Ethiopia: Meles strangles free press

Ethiopia: Meles strangles free press

(2005-12-02) Mary Donaldo, Washington

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is suppressing the pro-democracy movemenet in Ethiopia. Last month govenment troops killed over 50 people including children and women. They have jailed over 20000 people in harsh concetration camps. Ethiopians are now living in fear as detention, killings and torture has become common place. The Ethiopian Media Forum unvailed that in addition to over seventeen journalists facing treason charges for critizing the tyrannical regime, they have added over sixty journalists on their hit list.

---

At least 12 journalist have been arrested. Tens of journalists are put under TPLF's "wanted" list. Security forces also raided the offices of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (EFJA), in the capital, stealing money, computers and documents, sources told EMF.

"The ongoing crackdown on the private press in Ethiopia is an outrage," said Ann Cooper, CPJ Executive Director. "The government must stop its attempt to shutter the entire local press, and release all jailed journalists immediately."

TPLF controlled media have disseminated photographs of many of these journalists, and have called on the public to tell police their whereabouts. Following journalists are cases in point.

1. Lykune Engeda --- Wonchif Newspaper
2. Abdisa Abera --- Wonchif Newspaper
3. Abreham Tezera --- Wonchif Newspaper
4. Eshetu Desta --- Wonchif Newspaper
5. Eyobe Demeke --- Wonchif Newspaper
6. Tamerat Zuma --- Wonchif Newspaper
7. Ayenew Alemu --- Wonchif Newspaper
8. Azemera Abdisa --- Wonchif Newspaper
9. Fassil Yenealem --- Addis Zena Newspaper
10. Wosonseged Kidanu --- Addis Zena Newspaper
11. Semeret G/mariam --- Addis Zena Newspaper
12. Zerhune Mulugeta --- Addis Zena Newspaper
13. Elsabet Gezawe --- Addis Zena Newspaper
14. Derje Begashaw --- Askual Newspaper
15. Serkalem Fassil --- Askual Newspaper
16. Sisay Agena --- Eth-op Newspaper
17. Andualem Ayele --- Eth-op Newspaper
18. Tesfu Tegegn --- Eth-op Newspaper
19. Germayenhe Mamo --- Eth-op Newspaper
20. Aberham Kidane --- Eth-op Newspaper
21. Befekadu Moreda --- Tomar Newspaper
22. Ababa Ayenetu --- Tomar Newspaper
23. Girma Feyesa --- Tobia Newspaper
24. Arega Woldekirkose --- Tobia Newspaper
25. Atenafu Alemayehu --- Tobia Newspaper
26. Hussen Kedere --- Tobia Newspaper
27. Mesenbet Hailu --- Tobia Newspaper
28. Dawit Kebede --- Hadar Newspaper
29. Feleke Tibebu --- Hadar Newspaper
30. Wubeshet Taye --- Hadar Newspaper
31. Daniel Getenet --- Hadar Newspaper
32. Yosef Kidane --- Hadar Newspaper
33. Zekarias Tesfaye --- Nesanet Newspaper
34. Abey Gezaw --- Nesanet Newspaper
35. Derje Habetwolde --- Nesanet Newspaper
36. Dagemawit Nesanet --- Nesanet Newspaper
37. Endale Teshe --- Nesanet Newspaper
38. Tewoderos Tekelaregay --- Tsegereda Newspaper
39. Alemayehu Bazezew --- Tsegereda Newspaper
40. asmamaw Hailegiorgis --- Tsegereda Newspaper
41. Ferhwiot Gwangul --- Tsegereda Newspaper
42. Eskender Nega --- Minilik Newspaper
43. Zelalem Gebere --- Minilik Newspaper
44. Abate Mandefero --- Minilik Newspaper
45. Wonagseged Zeleke --- Minilik Newspaper
46. Eyob G/e --- Seifeneblbal Newspaper
47. Hailu Selesh --- Seifeneblbal Newspaper
48. Goshu Moges --- Lesanhezeb Newspaper
49. Maeregu Bezabehe --- Lesanhezeb Newspaper
50. Atenaf seged Yelema --- Lesanhezeb Newspaper
51. Tadess Kebede --- Lesanhezeb Newspaper
52. Tigist Aberhame --- Lesanhezeb Newspaper
53. Taye Belachew --- Lesanhezeb Newspaper
54. Mesfen Tesfaye --- Lesanhezeb Newspaper
55. Fekadu Ebndriase --- Lesanhezeb Newspaper
56. Garedew Demese --- Abay Newspaper
57. Daneil Dersha --- Abay Newspaper
58. Solomon Lemma --- Abay Newspaper
59. Daneil Gezahgn --- Moged Newspaper
60. Ababaw Dametew --- Moged Newspaper
61. Bezabehe Teklu --- Moged Newspaper
62. Solomon Lakew --- Satenaw Newspaper
63. Dawit Fassil --- Satenaw Newspaper

Provided via: http://www.i-newswire.com
If you have questions regarding information in these press release contact the company listed below. I-Newswire.com is a press release service and not the author of this press release. The information that is on or available through this site is for informational purposes only and speaks only as of the particular date or dates of that information. As some companies / PR Agencies submit their press releases once per week/month or quarter, make sure check the official company website for accurate release dates as our site displays the I-Newswire.com distribution date only. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of information on or available through this site, and we are not responsible for inaccuracies or omissions in that information or for actions taken in reliance on that information.