0
0
Location: Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Date: May 26, 2022
Founding editor of private broadcaster Ethio Nekat Media Meskerem Abera was among 11 media workers and journalists associated with four independent media outlets arrested between May 19 and 20. Several activists, journalists, dissenters, among others have been arrested in recent days as the authorities conduct a “law enforcement operation” against allegedly illegal activity. The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns the arrests of members of the independent press and calls for their immediate release. Journalists must be free to report without fear of government reprisal.
Ethiopian authorities have arrested at least 11 journalists and media workers since May 19 in Amhara state and the capital Addis Ababa as part of a crackdown. The state government released a press statement about the crackdown and called it a “law enforcement operation”. During the raids of security forces over 4,500 people were arrested for allegedly illegal activity.
Meskerem Abera was arrested at Bole Airport on her return from the northern city of Bahir Dar to the capital Addis Ababa on May 21. She was taken to the Addis Ababa Police Commission’s offices and charged with inciting public violence through her media appearances, according to her husband Fitsum Gebremichael told the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). She was detained at Addis Ababa Police Commission and charged with inciting public violence through her media appearances.
Meskerem appeared in the Arada Division of the Federal Court of First Instance in the capital on May 23. The police told the court that they were investigating Meskerem on suspicion of “inciting riots and creating mistrust between the Amhara region and the Federal government”, according to the Addis Standard. The security officials asked the court for Meskerems detention for 14 more days until they arrest her collaborators.
Meskerem lawyers defended that the journalist’s rights were violated. They claimed that the alleged suspects were working on the media in public and as if Meskerem committed a crime, she would not have been able to operate in public places and was arrested at the airport. Defendant lawyers also requested her release on bail, stating that she is breastfeeding a 7-month-old baby and that she is a permanent resident.
The journalist’s outlet was based on coverage of the Amhara state, including a message by Meskerem to an Ethiopian military general calling for him to side with the Fano militia and the people in what she described as an “imminent crackdown”, and an episode in which Meskerem defended the need for Fano militias.
On May 19, security forces raided Ashara Media in the Amhara state capital of Bahir Dar and arrested five employees according to the families of the media workers.
Ashara Media listed the names of the arrests;
- Kelemu Gelagay Akene, camera operator and video editor,
- Daniel Mesfin, camera operator and video editor,
- Gashaye Nigussie Ferede,
- Getenet Yalew,
- Habtamu Melese
Another publication, Nisir Media’s office was raided in the simultaneous police operation. On the same day as Ashara Media, four of their employees were also arrested during the office search. Police confiscated office equipment and some digital devices.
Solomon Shumeye, the founder and owner of private broadcaster Gebeyanu Media, was another journalist who was arrested on May 20. According to Voice of America (VOA), His lawyer, Befekadu Seyoum, said that Solomon had appeared in court on the same day and that he had been charged with “making statements inciting people to violence and creating discord between the federal and Amhara state governments”.
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian government released a statement about the ongoing crackdown. “The government will continue to intensify its crackdown on dissent, especially in the guise of journalism,” said the statement.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) demands an immediate release of journalists and media workers. We call on Ethiopian authorities to end their intimidation policies against members of the press. We also urge security officials to ensure Meskerem’s safety and disclose the journalist’s location. Journalism is not a crime.
