Human Rights Groups Concerned for Ethiopian Detainees

Also in the news: Government sanctioned price gauging in Ethiopia, the flip flopper, Seattle Ethiopians angry and other top stories of the day.

CPJ concerned about prison conditions for two journalists

New York - The Committee to Protect Journalists today sent the following letter to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia.
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Prime Minister Meles Zenawi
C/O The Embassy of Ethiopia
3506 International Drive, NW
Washington,DC 20008

Via facsimile: 202-587-0199

Your Excellency,

The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned about prison conditions for journalists Eskinder Nega (left) and Sisay Agena(right), who CPJ sources say are suffering from harsh treatment and deprivation without judicial review.

The two had been held with at least 13 other journalists in Kality Prison, near Addis Ababa, since November 2005. However, Nega was moved at the end of July and Agena on August 19 to Karchele Prison, according to CPJ sources. They are said to be kept with two other prisoners in a small, unsanitary cell and allowed only limited bathroom breaks. Their access to visitors is heavily restricted, CPJ sources said. Some sources said they fear the two may be deprived of light and adequate drinking water. [photo by EMF]. (More...)

Medical concern/ Prisoner of Conscience - Amnesty International

Retired geography professor Mesfin Woldemariam, Ethiopia’s most prominent human rights defender, has been detained since 1 November 2005, and is among 76 opposition party leaders, journalists and human rights defenders on trial on charges of “outrage against the Constitution”, “obstruction of the exercise of constitutional powers”, “inciting, organizing or leading armed rebellion” and “attempted genocide,” in connection to the demonstrations against alleged fraud in the May 2005 elections in Ethiopia (see UA 284/05, AFR 25/017/2005, 02 ovember 2005, and follow-ups). He is said to be "responding well to treatment" for pneumonia in hospital, but his condition still remains serious and potentially life-threatening. (More...)

Democracy Activists and Journalists still in solitary Confinement

(EZ) - Muluneh Eyuel, Sisay Agena, Eskinder Nega and Andualem Arage are still in a solitary confinement which has no sun or artificial light and with the worst hygienic conditions. They are able to go to the toilet only once a day under armed escort and are prohibited from meeting their families and friends.

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