This is a list of journalists and activists detained in Ethiopia in 2023. [2] [3] CPJ [4] reported that in April 2023 alone, 47 human rights organizations made calls on the government of Ethiopia (Abiy Ahmed) to end internet shut downs and digital communications access.
The current Oromo-led [5] Prosperity Party continued its crackdown against ethnic Amhara and related public defenders in 2023. Various arrests of oppositions and media have already been reported since the government came to power in 2018, and condemned by various international groups. [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] Most of these detentions and arbitrary arrests are reported as part of government crackdowns. [2] [13] [14] Those still imprisoned prior to 2023 and still detained are also listed in a separately table.
Previous arbitrary arrests by the TPLF-dominated [15] EPRDF parties were criticized for abusing the Anti-terrorism Proclamation (ATP) law to limit freedom of the press, silence voices, and persecute members of perceived opponents. [16] [17] [18] Similarly, most of the charges imposed against the 2023 detainees by the Prosperity Party regime are also ATP-related.
Amnesty International published a report calling on the government to respect the right to peaceful protest and immediately release detained media staff. [24] The report emphasized that journalists and media workers need to do their work without threat, intimidation and harassment. [25]
Committee to Protect Journalists: Published a series of reports with details of arbitrary arrests of ethnic Amhara journalists and activists, and called for immediate releases. [4] [7] [14] [26]
Ethiopia Human Rights Council: Listed the names of detainees and condemned the mass arrests of media groups and public defenders. [27]
Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center (EHRDC): the group called on the Ethiopian government to the immediate release of journalists and to stop the restriction of access to the free flow of information. [28]
These lists are not complete. In May 2022 alone, at least 4000 Amhara dissidents were arrested by theProsperity Party regime, and their status is unknown. [29] [30]
Name | Region | Position | Date arrested | Status | Description & reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zemene Kassie (Patriot) | Bahir Dar, Amhara region | Amhara Public Resistance Force (Fano and Militia), leader | September 21, 2022 | Released in bail as of June 6, 2023 [31] | Part of "major" crackdown by regional and federal security forces. [32] [33] [34] [35] |
Tadios Tantu (~80-year-old-man) | Addis Ababa (originally from Wolayta) | Author, historian, and human rights defender | Since May 5, 2021 (disappeared) | Still imprisoned | Part of crackdown and arbitrary arrest of Human rights defenders. Appeared in court to face charges of terrorism and using force to overthrow the government. [36] [37] [38] |
Name | Region | Position | Date arrested | Status | Description & reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ermias Mekuria | Addis Ababa | May 12, 2023 | Humanitarian worker for Debre Birhan IDPs | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023 [39] [4] |
Gobeze Sisay | Unclear | May 6, 2023 | Amhara Voice internet broadcaster, Founder and journalist | First detention in 2023. Overall, he was arrested at least twice since 2022. | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. [40] [41] [42] [43] [27] [44] [45] |
Zerihun Gessesse | Amhara region | May 2023 | Activist | Released in bail as of May 12, 2023 | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. [46] [47] [27] [44] [45] |
Aynaddis Walelign | Debre Markos, Amhara region | May 3, 2023 | Activist | Detained | Part of governments' crackdown and arbitrary arrest of Human rights defenders, and activists. [48] |
Mohammed Yimam | Hayk, South Wollo, Amhara region | Opposition leader [49] | April 30, 2023 | Detained and beaten as of May 11, 2023 | Part of governments' crackdown and arbitrary arrest of Human rights defenders, and oppositions. [50] |
Infant of Keleb Seyoum (4-month-old infant) | Addis Ababa | Infant, child of Keleb Siyoum | April 30, 2023 | Detained with her mother Contracted infection during detain and released when her mother bailed as of May 3, 2023 [51] | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara opposition, journalists and activists in 2023. [52] [27] [53] |
Keleb Seyoum | Addis Ababa | Opposition officer, Balderas for True Democracy Party | April 30, 2023 | Detained Released with bail (as of May 3, 2023) [51] | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara opposition, journalists and activists in 2023. [52] [27] [53] |
Ameha Dagnew | Not specified | Vice President of opposition, Balderas for True Democracy Party | April 18, 2023 | Detained. | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. [54] [27] [44] [45] |
Senayet Ayalew & Elias Debas | Bahir Dar, Amhara region | Ashara media internet broadcaster, journalist | April 13, 2023 | Released in bail (as of April 27, 2023) | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. [27] |
Tewodros Asfaw | Addis Ababa | Ethio Selam internet broadcaster | April 13, 2023 Second arrest | Released in bail on June 10, 2023 [55] | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of journalists and activists in 2023. Accused of inciting violence. [2] [56] [57] [27] |
Dawit Begashaw | Bahir Dar, Amhara then transferred [58] to Addis Ababa | Arat Killo YouTube channel, Founder | April 12, 2023 | A freelance journalist | Part of mass arrest of Amhara journalists and activists. [2] [56] [59] [60] [27] |
Meskerem Abera | Addis Ababa | Ethio Nikat YouTube channel, Founder | April 9, 2023 | Third arrest since 2022. Part of mass arrest of Amhara journalists and activists | Accused of giving alleged "shooting exercise" to informal groups. [2] [13] [61] [62] [63] [60] [56] [27] |
Aleligne Mihretu | Not specified | Defense lawyer, represented Amhara detainees. Known for representing Colonel Demeke Zewdu, [64] during EPRDF regime. | April 7, 2023 | Released in bail as of April 25, 2023 | Part of mass arrest of Amhara defenders. [65] |
Genet Asmamaw | Addis Ababa | Yeneta (Medlot) YouTube journalist | April 6, 2023 | Abused by Addis Ababa police during arbitrary arrest. Detained | Part of mass arrest of Amhara journalists and activists. [2] [56] [13] [27] |
Abay Zewdu | Addis Ababa | Amhara Media Center YouTube channel, editor-in-chief | April 6, 2023 | Released in bail as of April 25, 2023 | Accused of inciting violence & unrest. [2] [56] |
Worku Tesfaye Woldemariam | Not specified | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. [27] [44] [45] |
Henok Addisu | Not specified | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained. | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. [54] [27] [44] [45] |
Tesfaye Yehualaeshet Fasil | Not specified | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. [27] [44] [45] |
Solomon Lemenih Ketema | Not specified | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. [54] [27] [44] [45] |
Menbere | Not specified | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. [27] [44] [45] |
Dr. Bekele | Not specified | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. [27] [44] [45] |
Dawit Ababu Bitew | Addis Ababa | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. [27] [44] [45] |
Tadesse Weyinew Tessema | Addis Ababa | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. [27] [44] [45] |
Muluken Wonde Bitew | Addis Ababa | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. [27] [44] [45] |
Tewodros Teshome Ayenew | Addis Ababa | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. [27] [44] |
Samuel Assefa | Addis Ababa | EMS (Ethiopian Media Services), reporter | April 4, 2023 | Detained | For reporting the demolition of residential houses in Addis Ababa. [56] [66] [67] |
Maeregu Biyabeyen | Not specified | assistant professor | April 2023 | Detained | Part of mass arrest of Amhara defenders. [65] [54] |
Sisay Awgichew | Not specified | assistant professor, and Shewa Peace and Development Association, Leadership [68] [69] | April 2023 | Detained | Part of mass arrest of Amhara defenders. [65] [54] |
Assefa Adane (PhD) | Not specified | assistant professor and Negere Wolkait Media editor | April 2023 | Detained | Part of mass arrest of Amhara defenders. [65] [56] |
Aragaw Sisay | Addis Ababa | Roha News (YouTube streaming media), Founder and Editor-in-chief | March 26, 2023 | Released in bail as of April 25, 2023 | Accused of terrorism and inciting violence on social media. [2] [14] [70] [3] |
Getenet Ashagre | Addis Ababa | Voice of Amhara YouTube-based broadcaster, Editor-in-chief | March 26, 2023 | Released in bail as of April 25, 2023 | Accused of inciting of violence on social media. Charges not specified. [2] [3] [14] [70] [27] |
Beyene Wolde | Addis Ababa | Gurage Media Network news website, Founder and editor | March 2, 2023 | Still detained as of March 22, 2023 | Accused of terrorism and incitement. [71] [27] |
Eskinder Nega | Bahir Dar, Amhara Region | Journalist, activist, and founder and former Balderas for True Democracy Party leader | February 24, 2023. In the past 30 years, he was imprisoned numerous times. | Released in February 26 (or 27), 2023 | Charges not specified. [72] [73] |
Tewodros Asfaw | Addis Ababa | Ethio Selam internet broadcaster | February 14, 2023 First arrest | Released on bail on February 18, 2023 [74] (RSF reported February 22, 2023. Has left the country) [75] | Accused of inciting violence and sowing distrust of the government related to the attack against the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. [28] [74] [75] |
Amanuel Asfaw | Addis Ababa | Ethio Selam internet broadcaster | February 14, 2023 | Still in custody as of February 18, 2023 | Accused of inciting violence and sowing distrust of the government related to the attack against the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. [74] [75] |
Meseret Tamiru | Addis Ababa | Ethio Selam internet broadcaster | February 14, 2023 | Still in custody as of February 18, 2023 | Accused of inciting violence and sowing distrust of the government related to the attack against the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. [74] [75] |
Yosef Ketema (Deacon) | Addis Ababa | EOTC TV— Oromo language reporter | February 13, 2023 | Released on February 21, 2023 | Accused of terrorism and inciting violence for covering a split related to the attack against the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. [75] |
Sentayehu Chekol | Addis Ababa | Member of the Balderas opposition party | February 12, 2023 | Released on April 11, 2023, following the mass Amhara protest in the country | Part of the crackdown of members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. [76] [75] |
Daniel Tesfaye | Addis Ababa | EHRCO's human rights officer | January 5, 2023 | Unknown | Arrested for investigating illegal evictions and demolitions in Addis Ababa. [6] [77] [78] [79] |
Bezuayehu Wondimu | Addis Ababa | EHRCO's human rights officer | January 5, 2023 | Unknown | Arrested for investigating illegal evictions and demolitions in Addis Ababa. [6] [77] [79] |
Bereket Daniel | Addis Ababa | EHRCO's human rights officer | January 5, 2023 | Unknown | Arrested for investigating illegal evictions and demolitions in Addis Ababa. [77] [78] [79] |
Nahom Husen | Addis Ababa | EHRCO's human rights officer | January 5, 2023 | Unknown | Arrested for investigating illegal evictions and demolitions in Addis Ababa. [6] [77] [78] [79] |
Yidnekachew Kebede (Addis Ababa) (Activist lawyer, Social Media Influencer and Journalist) (Arrested on August 17, 2023 and released on September 1, 2023) (Reason: Part of the crackdown on Amhara activists and cause) https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopia-arrests-3-journalists-under-new-state-of-emergency/7258701.html
Eskinder Nega is an Ethiopian journalist, blogger and politician who has been jailed several times by the Ethiopian government on convictions for treason and terrorism.
Temesgen Desalegn is an Ethiopian journalist. As an editor of the independent weekly newspaper Feteh, Desalegn went to court many times and was imprisoned from 2014 to 2017 as a result of his criticism of the national government, drawing protests on his behalf from the international press freedom groups Committee to Protect Journalists and Article 19 and from Amnesty International. In its 2014 report, the U.S. Department of State also reported its concern against Temsgen's 3 years sentence by the government, emphasizing that Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are fundamental elements of a democratic society and government. The Human Rights Watch also reported his charge in August 2012 and his three years sentence in 2014.
The Zone 9 bloggers are a blogging collective from Ethiopia, who maintain a blog in Amharic. On 25 and 26 April 2014, the Ethiopian government arrested six members of the Zone 9 bloggers network and three other journalists, who faced terrorism charges for their writing at the time. The action had sparked an online protest.
Abiy Ahmed Ali is an Ethiopian politician who is the current Prime Minister of Ethiopia since 2018 and the leader of the Prosperity Party since 2019. He was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize "for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation, and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea". Abiy served as the third chairman of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) that governed Ethiopia for 28 years and the first person of Oromo descent to hold that position. Abiy is a member of the Ethiopian parliament, and was a member of the Oromo Democratic Party (ODP), one of the then four coalition parties of the EPRDF, until its rule ceased in 2019 and he formed his own party, the Prosperity Party.
Fano is an ethno-nationalist Amhara militia and former protest movement. It has engaged in violent clashes throughout Ethiopia in the name of neutralizing perceived threats to the Amhara people. Fano has absorbed many units and personnel of the Amhara Regional Special Forces that did not integrate into the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF). Fano militias have been involved in armed conflicts with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), and the ENDF. They have also clashed with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on the border of Ethiopia and Sudan.
Ethnic discrimination in Ethiopia during and since the Haile Selassie epoch has been described using terms including "racism", "ethnification", "ethnic identification, ethnic hatred, ethnicization", and "ethnic profiling". During the Haile Selassie period, Amhara elites perceived the southern minority languages as an obstacle to the development of an Ethiopian national identity. Ethnic discrimination occurred during the Haile Selassie and Mengistu Haile Mariam epochs against Hararis, Afars, Tigrayans, Eritreans, Somalis and Oromos. Ethnic federalism was implemented by Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) leader Meles Zenawi and discrimination against Amharas, Ogaden, Oromos and other ethnic groups continued during TPLF rule. Liberalisation of the media after Abiy Ahmed became prime minister in 2018 led to strengthening of media diversity and strengthening of ethnically focussed hate speech. Ethnic profiling targeting Tigrayans occurred during the Tigray War that started in November 2020.
The Persecution of Amhara people is the ongoing persecution of the Amhara and Agew people of Ethiopia. Since the early 1990s, the Amhara people have been subject to ethnic violence, including massacres by Tigrayan, Oromo and Gumuz ethnic groups among others, which some have characterized as a genocide. Large-scale killings and grave human rights violations followed the implementation of the ethnic-federalist system in the country. In most of the cases, the mass murders were silent with perpetrators from various ethno-militant groups—from TPLF/TDF, OLF–OLA, and Gumuz armed groups.
Democratic backsliding in Ethiopia is ongoing, most notably under the administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Since assumption of power in April 2018, Ahmed has played crucial role of reforms in the Ethiopian politics and reversal of policies implemented by the former ruling party, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF). Abiy immediately gained public approval and international recognition owing to liberalized policymaking including in media outlets, gender equality, internet freedom and privatization of economy. Furtherly, he was also warmly gained accolades for ending 20-years conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, from which he awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, being the first Ethiopian to earn the title. In 2019, Ethiopia received a score of 19 out of 100 in the Freedom in the World metric, a significant improvement from previous years, although it is still characterized as "Not Free". In December 2019, he formed the Prosperity Party by dissolution of EPRDF and merged all its ethnic based regional parties while the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) refused to obey, resulting intense face-off with the federal government. He promised to hold free and fair upcoming election; although due to COVID-19 pandemic deterioration and other security and logistics issues, the election was postponed indefinitely in mid-2020. Opponents called this action as backdrop to "reconsolidate dictatorship" and "constitutional crisis". On 9 September 2020, the Tigray Regional election were held as the federal government deemed illegal election. According to the electoral commission, the TPLF won 98.2% of 152 seats were contested. The federal government and the Tigray authority relations aggravated by late 2020, culminating the Tigray War.
The Addis Ababa Federal Police is the law enforcement division of the Ethiopian Federal Police operating in Addis Ababa City Administration. Established in 2003 by Proclamation of Council of Ministers No.96/2003, it has the main duty of safeguard public security and peace and comply to the Constitution and the law of the country by preventing crimes. It is administered by the Addis Ababa City Administration Police Commission, which is responsible to the Federal Police Commission of Ethiopia.
Events in the year 2023 in Ethiopia.
Habtamu Ayalew Teshome is an Ethiopian journalist and political analyst who was formerly imprisoned and tortured as an opposition leader in Ethiopia during the EPRDF rule. He analyzes the daily live Amharic Ethio 360 Ethiopian news broadcast from its headquarters in Washington D.C., through satellite TV, and social media since 2019.
Many buildings have been demolished by the government of Ethiopia under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed since early 2019, with 12,000 homes planned to be demolished for the purpose of rebuilding urban sprawl. The project was targeted toward Addis Ababa and Oromia, in the towns of Sebeta, Buraryu, Lagatafo Lagadadi, Sululta, Ermojo, and Gelan. Residents have criticized the government demolition, claiming they paid taxes to the government properties, and the government is illegally taking undue advantage to confiscate for the Oromia government.
The War in Amhara is an armed conflict and insurgency in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia that began in April 2023 between the Fano militia and the Ethiopian government. The conflict started after the government attempted to dissolve the Amhara Special Forces and other regional forces to "promote national unity." This move led to protests and armed resistance by local forces under Fano.
Balderas Party, also called Balderas for Genuine Democracy Party or Balderas for True Democracy Party, is a political party in Ethiopia founded by political activist Eskinder Nega in 2019.
Political repression is a visible scenario under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed after 2018, characterized by severe human rights violation, restriction of press, speeches, dissents, activism and journalism that are critical to his government. Similar to TPLF-led EPRDF regime, there was a raise of censorship in the country, particularly internet shutdowns under the context of anti-terror legislation labelling them "disinformation and war narratives" since the raise of armed conflict in Ethiopia. In June 2018, Abiy unblocked 64 internet access that include blogs and news outlets.
The following is a list of events predicted and scheduled to take place in the year 2024 in Ethiopia.
Internment camps in Ethiopia during the prime ministership of Abiy Ahmed during the 2020s include camps holding Tigrayans during the Tigray war, Eritreans, and Amharas during the war in Amhara.
Desalagne Chanie is an Ethiopian politician who is currently MP in the House of Peoples' Representatives (HoPR) since 2021. He was the founder of the Amhara nationalist party, the National Movement of Amhara (NaMA) in 2018 along with Belete Molla. He has served as a chairman until 2020.
During the War in Amhara, the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) has heavily utilized drone strikes in combat operations against Fano militia and civilian population. The attacks have reportedly resulted in widespread destruction, civilian casualties and humanitarian crisis. In particular since October 2024, drone strikes have been escalating in the Amhara region, notably the South Mecha woreda of the North Gojjam Zone following the commencement of the ENDF's counteroffensive.
Meskerem Abera is an Ethiopian activist and journalist who has been subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention by Abiy Ahmed administration. She has been arrested in April 2023 for alleged terrorism conviction and charged in June.
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