2 Ethiopian civil society leaders remain imprisoned, despite pardons for 38 politicians and journalists

23 July 2007 - While welcoming the pardoning of 38 opposition politicians and journalists in Ethiopia last week, CIVICUS and the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP ) remind the Ethiopian government that many others, including GCAP coordinators Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie, remain in prison anxiously awaiting their verdict.

"We applaud Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi for upholding his citizens' freedom of association, assembly and expression by pardoning these sentences. But we remind him that these rights are still in jeopardy so long as others, including Daniel and Netsanet, are in detention," said Kumi Naidoo, CIVICUS Secretary General in Johannesburg.

The Ethiopian government pardoned 38 convicted prisoners on Friday - mainly opposition politicians and some journalists - who had signed a statement admitting the use of "unconstitutional means to change the constitutionally established government functions" follows the 2005 elections. Most of the 38 to be freed were sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday. A remaining 33 others who have also signed the statement remain on trial.

Although they were asked to sign a similar statement, Daniel, 40, Policy Manager of ActionAid Ethiopia, and Netsanet, 29, Executive Director of the Organisation for Social Justice in Ethiopia, declined. They argue that their activities in 2005 were entirely legal and did not serve to undermine, but rather to protect and promote Ethiopia's constitutional order. They wish to establish this in court and secure their acquittal.

"These two gentlemen have courageously defended the integrity and legitimacy of civil society in Ethiopia. They are dedicated GCAP activists whose only actions were to peacefully work for a life free from poverty injustices and inequalities for their fellow citizens ," said Irfan Mufti , GCAP's Campaign Manager.

The two were detained in November 2005 alongside opposition political leaders and charged in January 2006 with the crime of "outrage against the constitution and the constitutional order". Amnesty International considers them prisoners of conscience and human rights defenders.

"Represented by their advocate, Col Mengistu Hailemariam, Daniel and Netsanet appeared at the Supreme Court in Addis Ababa  on FRIDAY to appeal against the High Court ruling that they must present a defence to the prosecution's evidence."The Supreme Court adjourned until 24 July 2007 . Daniel and Netsanet are scheduled to begin presenting defence evidence in the High Court towards the end of July – unless the Supreme Court has by then already ruled in their favour.

ENDS

For more information or interviews, please contact:

Julie Middleton, CIVICUS Civil Society Watch at +27 824 036040, cswatch@civicus.org.  Micha Hollestelle, CIVICUS Media Manager at +27 766 338525, micha.hollestelle@civicus.org

Ciara O'Sullivan, Media Coordinator, GCAP at + 34 679 594809, ciara_os@hotmail.com  

For more info on CIVICUS www.civicus.org - For more info on GCAP www.whiteband.org