In Ethiopia, Blogging on Human Rights Issues is a Crime

Press release, April 29, 2014
The Center for the Rights of Ethiopian Women (CREW) demands that the Ethiopian government unconditionally release the journalists and bloggers (Zone 9) that it arrested last week. These journalists have expressed their opinions about the current situations in Ethiopia, using their democratic rights which is clearly stated in the country’s constitution. They have not written to disturb peace nor have they advocated for violence. However, it is reported that “the main charge against the detainees was accepting money and working with foreign organizations and rights activists and using social media to destabilize the country.” This is a serious charge. It is very saddening to learn that young and aspiring journalists are being intimidated in order to discourage them from informing citizens about the economic, social and political conditions in their country.
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