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Global cry for release of Ethiopian civil society leaders
In a resounding call for justice and human rights in Ethiopia, organisations and individuals in more than 10 countries today stood in solidarity with two civil society leaders on trial for treason in Ethiopia. Through letters, rallies and vigils they called for the acquittal of Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie, coordinators of the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) in Ethiopia as part of an International Day of Solidarity, organised by CIVICUS and GCAP.
The global expressions of support for Daniel and Netsanet will culminate this evening with a candlelight vigil at 7pm at the Freedom Centre in Accra, Ghana. Leaders from across the African continent are attending the annual African Union Summit in Accra. Over the weekend, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles will lead discussions on the African Peer Review.
“Although this African Union Summit is focused on building a more united Africa, how is that possible without equal respect for human rights across the continent? We hope our event tonight will raise awareness about Daniel and Netsanet among African leaders, and hopefully stir them into speaking out,” said Clare Doube, Manager of the Civil Society Watch programme at CIVICUS.
Solidarity events took place in Geneva, Atlanta, Pretoria, and Kampala yesterday. In Geneva, over 300 people gathered at the Civil Society Development Forum 2007, organised by CONGO, to pass a resolution stating their dismay with the ongoing trial. In Kampala, Ethiopian activists in exile met for a candlelight vigil, while the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net) delivered a letter of appeal to the Ethiopian Embassy. In Atlanta, at the United States Social Forum, where 20,000 people are assembled, a letter of appeal was signed urging the Ethiopian government to respect human rights. And in Pretoria, the South African NGO Coalition (SANGOCO) rallied with members of the human rights and Ethiopian refugee communities to urge freedom for Daniel and Netsanet.
Director of the United Nations Millennium Campaign, Salil Shetty, who led the call for solidarity in Geneva, said "Anti-poverty and MDG campaigners across the world are deeply concerned about the detention of their peaceful fellow campaigners Daniel and Netsanet in Ethiopia. Their immediate release will help the cause of the poorest people in Ethiopia which is the singular objective of the Ethiopian MDG campaign.
Daniel and Netsanet are two out of 10 remaining accused in one of Africa’s largest treason trials in recent years. They have been detained since November 2005, on charges of conspiracy to overthrow the “constitution and constitutional order”. Daniel and Netsanet have consistently been refused bail.
Hassan Shire Sheikh, Chairperson of EHAHRD-Net, which organised the Kampala events, said “We believe that Daniel and Netsanet together with scores of others human rights defenders still under detention are prisoners of conscience, and should be released unconditionally. “
Aside from their work with GCAP, Daniel Bekele worked as head of the policy department of ActionAid International Ethiopia. Netsanet Demissie is the founder of Organisation for Social Justice in Ethiopia, a local non-governmental organisation which assisted in monitoring the May 2005 election.
Since Daniel and Netsanet’s arrest, civil society organisations in Ethiopia have reportedly come under increasing scrutiny, and many activists have chosen to remain silent on controversial issues for fear of meeting the same fate.
At the start of the trial in May 2006, over 100 opposition politicians, journalists and civil society leaders stood accused of a range of charges from genocide to treason. They were among thousands who were detained following protests accusing the government of rigging the 15 May 2005 presidential elections. On 11 June 2007, in the trial’s first verdicts, 38 journalists and opposition politicians were found guilty. The 10 remaining accused are due to appear in court again on 12 July 2007, to present their defence. Trial observers have suggested that the trial could be over as early as the end of July.
--note for editors—
For more information or interviews, please contact
Julie Middleton, CIVICUS Civil Society Watch at +27 11 833 5959 x123 or (cell) +27 824 036040, cswatch@civicus.org.
Micha Hollestelle, CIVICUS media co-ordinator +27 766 338525, e-mail: micha.hollestelle@civicus.org
Or Ciara O’Sullivan, Media co-ordinator, GCAP, Tel: + 34 679 594809 e-mail: ciara_os@hotmail.com
For more info on CIVICUS www.civicus.org
For more info on GCAP www.whiteband.org
