9 African, International Rights Groups Call on Ethiopian PM to Free Jailed Journalists

A diverse group of 29 Africa and international-based rights groups today called on new Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to free journalists jailed in the Horn of Africa country and respect international and Ethiopian law protecting freedom of expression. The call comes as Ethiopia is seeking a post on the United Nations' Human Rights Council.

"We urge your government, at this opportune moment, to consider and protect the vital role that independent journalists, civil society organizations and political dissidents play in holding the government to account for its performance on its domestic and international human rights obligations," says the letter. "We appeal to you to restore the faith of the Ethiopian people and the international community in the Ethiopian state and lead a government which draws its strength and legitimacy from the pluralistic inclusion of different voices from all segments of society."

The letter was organized by Johannesburg-based Civicus: World Alliance for Citizen Participation

Signatories are:

1. Action for Fundamental Change and Development, Uganda
2. Action Solidaire de la Jeunesse pour le Développement Communautaire (ASOEDEC), Democratic Republic of the Congo
3. AfriMAP, South Africa
4. Amnesty International
5. Campaign Against Illiteracy and Ignorance, Nigeria
6. Centre for Legal Empowerment, Kenya
7. CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
8. Committee to Free Eskinder Nega
9. Committee to Protect Journalists
10. East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project
11. Freedom Now
12. Front Line Defenders
13. Human Rights Network Uganda (HURINET-U), Uganda
14. Human Rights Watch
15. International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
16. International Press Institute
17. League for Human Rights in the Great Lakes Region, Rwanda
18. League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Right in Rwanda (LIPRODHOR), Rwanda
19. Ligue Iteka, Burundi
20. National Civic Forum, Sudan
21. PEN American Center
22. Réseau des Organisations de la Société Civile pour le Dévelopement, (RESOCIDE), Burkina Faso
23. South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network, South Sudan
24. South Sudan Human Rights Society for Advocacy, (SSHURSA), South Sudan
25. Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA Network), Uganda
26. Swedish International Liberal Centre
27. West African Human Rights Defenders Network (WAHRDN), Togo
28. World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers
29. World Organisation Against Torture