AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

FACTS OF THE CASE:

AAAS has received reports of a new wave of arrests in Ethiopia. Among those arrested were Asrat Buli, a medical doctor at Fincha sugar factory, and Teshome Mutama, a male nurse at Gindeberet hospital. Dr. Asrat Buli, was arrested on 15 February 1996. He is held without charge and has been denied access to his family and legal representation. The safety of Teshome Mutama, who was arrested on 12 February and has not been seen since, is of particular concern due to reports of the death in custody of one of those arrested.

The arrests of suspected Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) supporters reportedly began in mid-February. The OLF, who joined the transitional government headed by President Meles Zanawi, went into armed opposition in 1992. Amnesty International has reported that hundreds of OLF suspects are believed detained without charge or trial in different prisons, and some in secret detention places.

The arrest without charge of Dr. Buli, Teshome Mutama,and the others is in violation of a number of international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted without objection in 1948, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ratified by Ethiopia on 11 June 1993), which guarantees:

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of punishment...(Article 7); the right to freedom of expression and to receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds (Article 19(2)); the right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly (Articles 21 and 22); and the rights to liberty and security of the person and to a prompt, fair, and impartial hearing before and independent and impartial judicial tribunal (Articles 9 and 14).

(Source of information for this case is Amnesty International.)

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Faxes and letters are requested to the addresses given below. Communications should:

• express concern about the detention without charge of Dr. Buli, Teshome Mutama, and those detained during the recent wave of arrests;
• request that they be immediately taken to court and charged with a legitimate criminal offense, or released if they are detained solely for the non-violent expression of their opinions; and
• urge that they be treated humanely while in detention and that they be granted access to legal representation, to their families, and to medical treatment if needed.

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: 011-25-11-55-20-30
Salutation: Your Excellency]

Meles Zenawi
Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic
Prime Minister's Office
P.O. Box 1031
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: 011-25-11-55-20-30
Salutation: Your Excellency

Mr. Mahteme Solomon
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
P.O. Box 1370
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: 011-2511-55-07-22
Salutation: Dear Minister:

COPIES SENT TO:

Mr. Kinfe Gebre-Medhin
General Manager
Security, Immigration and Refugee Affairs Authority
c/o former Ministry of Internal Affairs
P.O. Box 5721
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia


Mr. Kemal Bedri
President of the Supreme Court
Supreme Court
P.O. Box 6166
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia


Mr. Seyoum Mesfin
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
P.O. Box 393
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: 011-25-11-51-43-00


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


Ambassador Marc A. Bass
United States Ambassador to Ethiopia
Fax: 011-25-11-55-21-91

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