AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

FACTS OF THE CASE:

There are new fears for the life of Dr. Taye Wolde Semayat, a political scientist and Chair of the Ethiopian Teachers' Association. Dr. Taye has been imprisoned since 30 May 1996. Recent reports indicate that the conditions of his imprisoned have significantly deteriorated, amounting to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and that death threats have been made against him by prison guards.

Dr. Taye appeared in court on 28 July 1998, at which time he reported that prison guards had threatened to shoot him. When the court informed him that it was not in a position to intercede on his behalf, Dr. Taye demanded to know to whom he should appeal. The judge responded by ordering that Dr. Taye be held in shackles 24 hours a day until his next court appearance on 15 September 1998. He has also been placed in a "darkness" cell, which does not have any natural light, but has constant electrical lighting. This is reportedly a severe form of punishment. There are serious concerns that harm could come to Dr. Taye prior to his next hearing.

Dr. Taye was arrested on fabricated charges of terrorism and conspiracy to assassinate government officials. However, the two main witnesses in the case have retracted their testimony, alleging that it was obtained by means of torture. As a result, the government was obliged to dismiss the most serious charges against Dr. Taye.

Dr. Taye is the elected head of the Ethiopian Teachers' Association, an independent union with 120,000 members, which has been disbanded. He also was among 42 professors fired from Addis Ababa University in January 1992 for writing a letter of protest against the government's violent reaction to a student demonstration.

Current actions against Dr. Taye are likely linked to a hearing held on 20 July against the Ethiopian Teachers' Association (ETA). An apparent dispute between the ETA and its rival, government-supported organization has resulted in raids against ETA offices, the arrest of its executive members, and the transfer of assets from previously frozen ETA accounts to the rival organization. In 1997, the AAAS passed a resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of scientists who are prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia, including Dr. Taye.

The imprisonment of Dr. Taye and the conditions under which he is currently held constitute serious violations of Ethiopia's international obligations under the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Under the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ratified by Ethiopia on 11 June 1993):

• Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person, and to freely take part in public affairs and political life (Articles 9 and 25); and
• everyone has the right to freedom of expression (Article 19.2);
• everyone has the right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly (Articles 21 and 22);
• all persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person (Article 10);
• everyone has the right to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal (Article 9); and
• no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Article 7).

Under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, adopted by the Organization of African Unity on 17 June 1981:

• Freedom from all forms of exploitation, including torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment and treatment (Article 5);
• the right to liberty and security of person, and freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention (Article 6);
• the right to express and disseminate opinions (Article 9); and
• the right to free association.

Relevant provision of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE):

• All persons in custody, including sentenced prisoners, have the right to conditions which respect human dignity (Article 21).

(Sources of information for this case include Amnesty International and Education International.)

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send telexes, telegrams, faxes, or airmail letters:

• Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Taye on the grounds that he was imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of his opinion;
• deploring the cruel and inhuman conditions under which Dr. Taye is held; and
• urging the Ethiopian government to uphold its international treaty obligations and to abide by its own constitution and criminal code.

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

Dr. Negaso Gidada
President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Et
Office of the President
P.O. Box 1031
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: 011-2511-55-07-22
Salutation: Your Excellency

Meles Zenawi
Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic
Prime Minister's Office
P.O. Box 1031
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

COPIES SENT TO:

Ambassador David H. Shinn
Embassy of the United States of America
P.O. Box 1014
Entoto Street
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: (251 1 552 191)


Ambassador Berhane Gebre-Christos
Embassy of Ethiopia
2134 Kalorama Road, NW
Washington, DC 20008

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