Ethiopia: EI relaunched Urgent Action Appeal for the release of ETA members

Members of the Ethiopian Teachers' Association (ETA) - Anteneh Getnet, Meqcha Mengistu and Woldie Dana have been in detention in the Addis Ababa Kality central prison since their re-arrest in May. More recently, the police have arrested Wibit Legamo, wife of Woldia Dana, and Berrhanu Aba-Debissa, a member of ETA. All five have been unjustly accused of being members of an illegal organisation called "Ethiopian Patriotic Front". Tilahun Ayalew has been missing since last 28 May. The latest of a number of court dates is 27, 28 and 29 November. To date, they have been denied bail. Since 1993, EI member ETA has struggled to survive and to be recognized in accordance with international conventions. Although Ethiopia has ratified these, the government has persistently undermined the legitimacy of the ETA through intimidation, harassment, including torture, refusing to allow meetings to be held and seizing the assets of association. In all, it amounts to identity theft. Education International calls upon its affiliates to press the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to:

1. Immediately release Anteneh Getnet, Meqcha Mengistu, Woldie Dana, Wibit Legamo and Berrhanu Aba-Debissa.
2. Cease all actions interfering in the internal affairs of the ETA.

For more information, please read our Urgent Action Appeal re-launched on 15 October 2007.

[Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:38:33 +0000] | DIGG THIS