http://www.voanews.com/a/rights-activists-in-ethiopia-report-obstacles-at-every-turn/3570096.html
Rights Activists in Ethiopia Report Obstacles at Every Turn
October 28, 2016 11:43 AM
Marthe van der Wolf
ADDIS ABABA —
Ethiopian human rights activists, members of opposition parties and
those working in the media say their freedom of movement has been
severely limited since the government declared a state of emergency
three weeks ago. Many are afraid to speak out while others had to stop
working.
Ethiopia’s government has insisted the six-month state of emergency —
declared so authorities can deal with protests in the Oromia and
Amhara regions — does not affect the constitutional rights of
citizens.
FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016 file photo, protesters chant
slogans against the government during a march in Bishoftu, in the
Oromia region of Ethiopia.
But while things might seem calm in the streets of Addis Ababa, those
perceived as challenging the government's views say they are often
blocked from carrying out their activities.
Assefa Habtewold is the chairman of the opposition All Ethiopian Unity
Party. He says it has become almost impossible for his party members
to operate.
“We cannot go from region to region and visit our members," said
Habtewold. "We cannot conduct meetings with our members at different
districts. All this is prohibited. All in all we cannot make a meeting
of more than two persons. Totally our movement is halted. Until the
end of the state of emergency we cannot do anything.”
The party, like other opposition parties, says dozens of its members
have been detained or are being harassed.
Addis Standard, a weekly independent magazine, announced last week it
is suspending its print edition. No printing house is willing to print
their magazine following the state of emergency, says editor-in-chief
Tsedale Lemma.
“It makes everybody hung onto this unspecified fear of what’s going to
happen if this material is published," said Lemma. "Will it be
misunderstood, will it be used against me? So this has a huge impact
on doing journalism for us. As we have seen it now with Addis
Standard, it even extends to vendors, and printers, and pretty much
everyone involved in making a print product.”
Tsedale says the magazine will continue online, despite the country’s
internet being mostly switched off.
Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, the Oromo, has been demonstrating for
nearly a year demanding more freedom, economic inclusiveness and
proper compensation for land disputes. Hundreds have been killed
during clashes with police.
Received on Sat Oct 29 2016 - 12:47:19 EDT