AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

FACTS OF THE CASE:

Dr. Alemayehu Teferra, former president of Addis Ababa University and dean of civil engineering, was charged by Ethiopia's Federal High Court on 24 March 1997 for allegedly being engaged in "aggravated genocide" carried out through anti-revolutionary activities under the former government of President Mengistu Haile-Mariam in 1977-78. The charges brought against Dr. Alemayehu include the alleged arbitrary detention of members of the Ethiopian Revolutionary Party, torturing inmates, inflicting bodily harm, and extra-judicial executions. He had been detained without charge since 9 April 1993. The charges stem from accusations that Dr. Alemayehu was a member of the district administration, the revolutionary campaign coordinating, and "Red Terror" committees, which were responsible for the atrocities.

Dr. Alemayehu had been the chairman of a local urban-dwellers association during the Red Terror campaign and was reportedly absolved of any crimes by the new government in 1991. Government sources allege that new evidence has surfaced implicating Dr. Alemayehu's involvement in extra-judicial executions. However, Chief Tesfaye Gebre Ghiorgis, the ex-chairman of Higher 16 to which Dr. Alemayehu's association was subordinate, has publicly stated that he interrogated and executed the individuals in question. Chief Tesfaye was released by the Transitional Government while Dr. Alemayehu remains in prison.

In addition, Dr. Alemayehu is among 42 professors dismissed from Addis Ababa University on 9 April 1993 because of their protests against the violence of security forces during an anti-government student demonstration in which at least one student and reportedly several others were killed. Dr. Alemayehu's criticism of the security forces may be the reason for his arrest.

Ethiopia's special prosecutor's office has indicted a total of 5,198 alleged perpetrators of the Red Terror, of which 2,246 have been indicted while in detention and 2,952 charged in absentia. Although the government has taken some steps to improve its human rights practices, the judiciary's lack of funding and staff has resulted in the prolonged pre-trial detention of thousands of individuals.

Dr. Alemayehu's arbitrary arrest, detention without charge, and lack of a prompt, fair, and public trial constitute serious violations of international law. Having ratified the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Ethiopia has an international legal obligation to guarantee the security of the person and prohibit arbitrary arrest (Article 9 of the Covenant), inform individuals of the charges against them (Article 9 of the Covenant), presume individuals innocent until proven guilty, and try individuals without undue delay (Article 4 of the Covenant).

(Sources of information on this case: Amnesty International Urgent Action Appeal Number UA 147/93; Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1996, U.S. Department of State; and EthioForum: news, Alleged Perpetrators of Red Terror Go on Trial, March 24, 1997.)

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

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

• expressing concern regarding Dr. Alemayehu's prolonged detention and the subsequent charges against him;
• indicating that these actions are inconsistent with the international human rights standards included in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; and
• urging that Dr. Alemayehu be provided with adequate legal assistance and a fair, prompt, and public trial.

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

President Meles Zenawi
Office of the President
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA
(Telegrams: President Meles Zenawi, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa)
(Telexes: 9976-21050 c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
(Faxes: 011-251-1-514300 c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Salutation: Your Excellency

Her Excellency Genet Zewde
Minister of Education
Ministry of Education
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA
(Telegrams: President Meles Zenawi, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Africa)
(Telexes: 9976-21050 c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
(Faxes: 011-251-1-514300 c/o Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES SENT TO:

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


Duri Mohamed
President Addis Ababa University
P.O. Box 1176
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA


The Honorable Thomas Johnston
Subcommittee on Africa
Committee on Foreign Affairs
816 O'Neill House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515


M. David Shinn
Department of State
Director of Office of East African Affairs
2201 C St., NW, Room 5240
Washington, DC 20520


Mr. George Moose
Assistant Secretary for African Affairs
Department of State
2201 C St., NW, Room 6234A
Washington, DC 20520


Dr. Theodros Solomon
Addis Ababa University
Faculty of Science
P.O. Box 1176
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA


Addis Ababa University Teachers Association
P.O. Box 1176
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA


Edward V.K. Jaycox
Vice President, Africa Region
The World Bank
1818 H St., NW
Washington, DC 20433


Swedish Agency for Research Cooperation with Developing Countries
P.O. Box 16140
Klarabergsgatan 23
S-10323 Stockholm
SWEDEN

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