AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

FACTS OF THE CASE:

Family members of Dr. Asrat Woldeyes, a physician and prisoner of conscience, have received information indicating that his health has deteriorated significantly. Dr. Asrat has reportedly lost vision in both eyes and is unable to move or speak well. He is also in constant pain. Family members believe that he may not survive if he is not given permission to travel abroad for treatment for his high blood pressure and diabetes.

Dr. Asrat is a former professor and dean of the medical faculty at Addis Ababa University. He is a pioneer of medical education in Ethiopia and an internationally renowned surgeon.

Currently serving a five-and-a half-year prison sentence, Dr. Asrat is being held at Tiku Ambesa Hospital, where the facilities are reportedly inadequate. Dr. Asrat has been accused of inciting violence for political ends, despite his well-documented commitment to non-violent activity. The charges against him appear to be politically motivated.

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. Asrat. This year the AAAS Science and Human Rights Program honored Dr. Asrat at its annual science and human rights reception, held in conjunction with the AAAS Annual Meeting, which was attended by more than 5,000 scientists from around the world.

The continued detention of Dr. Asrat and the denial of access to adequate medical attention constitute serious violations of international human rights standards, including those enumerated in the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, both of which Ethiopia is legally bound to uphold as a State Party. They include: Under the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ratified by Ethiopia on 11 June 1993): 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); and 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).

Under the United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ratified by Ethiopia on 11 June 1993):

• Everyone has the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (Article 12.1); and
• Everyone has the right to conditions which assure to all medical attention and service in the event of sickness (Article 12.2.D).

(The source of information for this update is Dr. Asrat's family. Previous sources of information include the Ethiopian News Forum, friends and family members of Dr. Asrat, and Amnesty International)

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

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

• expressing concern regarding Dr. Asrat's medical condition; requesting his immediate and unconditional release from prison so that he may obtain appropriate medical care abroad; and
• urging the government of Ethiopia to respect its obligations under the international human rights covenants to which it is a State Party.

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

COPIES SENT TO:

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


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


Ambassador David H. Shinn
Embassy of the United States of America
P.O. Box 1014
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Fax: 011 251 1 550 17

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