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Country Listing: Ethiopia Name: Asrat Woldeyes Profession: Surgery Subject: Imprisoned Surgeon Alert Dates: 30 April 1998, 18 February 1998, 11 January 1996, 6 October 1994 Case Number: ET9426.Asr Updated: 24 November 1998 Human Rights Issues
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 in custody in Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa, where he is receiving medical treatment. 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. Dr. Asrat's is suffering ill-health and has reportedly been denied permission to undergo medical tests for a cardiac condition. (Sources of information for this case include the Ethiopian News Forum, friends and family members of Dr. Asrat, and Amnesty International.) As a State Party, Ethiopia is legally bound to uphold the rights and freedoms listed in the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (adopted by the Organization of African Unity on 27 June 1981), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ratified by Ethiopia on 11 June 1993); and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ratified by Ethiopia on 11 June 1993). Relevant International Treaty Articles 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 African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. They include: Under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights:
(Article 6);
Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:
Under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights:
Name: Taye Wolde Semayat Profession: Political Science Subject: Imprisoned Scientist in Danger Alert Dates: 3 September 1998, 4 February 1998, 22 July 1996 Case Number: ET9613.Wol Updated: 3 September 1998 Human Rights Issues
Dr. Taye Wolde Semayat, a political scientist and Chair of the Ethiopian Teachers' Association has been imprisoned since 30 May 1996. 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. The judge ordered that Dr. Taye be held in shackles 24 hours a day until his next court appearance. He was also placed in a "darkness" cell with no natural light, but constant electrical lighting. This is reportedly a severe form of punishment. 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. Relevant International Treaty Articles 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. They include: Under the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:
Under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights:
Under the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE):
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