Law Used to Jail Journalists, Opposition Members
The Ethiopian government is exploiting its vaguely worded anti-terror law to crush peaceful dissent and to put journalists and opposition members on trial and behind bars.
Since June, the Ethiopian government has charged at least 33 people under its anti-terrorism law. Yesterday, the trial was to continue for 24 people charged with terrorism offenses – including six journalists and two opposition members. Sixteen of the 24 are being tried in absentia, unable to contest the charges they are facing.
None of the defendants detained and charged under the anti-terrorism law in 2011 have had access to a lawyer before being put on trial. Three complained in court of mistreatment in detention.
As no independent observers have been able to monitor Ethiopia’s trials, diplomats based in Addis Ababa should take over the role of witnessing whether the suspects’ right to a fair trial is respected. Diplomats have filled this role in Ethiopia before, between 2005 and 2007, when EU and US embassy staff monitored the trials of people charged with treason after a contested election.
