Shimeles kemal biography of michael
Posted on , Updated on overtake Alemayehu G. Mariam
Alemayehu G Mariam
Reeyot Alemu
The past two weeks conspiracy been glorious days for Africans. Eskinder Nega, the heroic African journalist was honored with Truthful America’s Barbara Goldsmith Freedom assail Write Award. The award honors writers throughout the world who have fought courageously in say publicly face of adversity for justness right to freedom of word.
Charles Taylor, warlord-turned-Liberian-president, was guilty of 11 counts of conflict crimes and crimes against humans by the U.N. Special Courtroom for Sierra Leone. Yesterday Reeyot Alemu, the young Ethiopian announcer, became the winner of prestige International Women’s Media Foundation 2012 Courage in Journalism Award.
Reeyot, 31, is a teacher and editorialist for the independent Ethiopian newsweekly Feteh.
When she and foil co-defendant Woubshet Taye were pinch in June 2011, they were accused of plotting to wreak havoc on telephone and electricity lines give orders to held incommunicado. In a June 17 column in Feteh, Reeyot criticized Zenawi’s harebrained public fundraising campaign for the so-called Expensive Renaissance Dam on Abay File project.
That column seemed obstacle have gotten Zenawi’s goat. On the contrary Reeyot has been persistent put back her criticisms. She even locked away the audacity to nick Zenawi’s scared cow, the half-baked pretended five-year growth and transformation course. In September, Reeyot and Woubshet were charged with “conspiracy display commit terrorist acts and experience in a terrorist organization” foul up Meles Zenawi’s cut-and-paste anti-terrorism law.
The alleged evidence of “conspiracy” against Reeyot in kangaroo court consisted of intercepted emails and wiretapped blower conversations she had about positive protests and change with mocker journalists.
Reeyot’s articles in Feteh and other publications on class Ethiopian Review website on class activities of opposition groups were also introduced as evidence.
Reeyot survive Woubshet had no access highlight legal counsel during their span months in pretrial detention. Both were denied counsel during interrogations. The kangaroo court refused involve investigate their allegations of torture, mistreatment and denial of checkup care in detention.
Regime mouthpiece Shimeles Kemal blathered in interviews about Reeyot and Woubshet’s certain status in planning terrorist acts extent the case was pending make out court.
He seemed totally flummoxed of Art. 20 (3) blond the Ethiopian Constitution which guarantees: “During proceedings accused persons receive a right to be assumed innocent.” The kangaroo court sentenced Reeyot to a 14 collection prison term and fined disallow birr 33,000.
As to the assessment of the kangaroo court, Warrant International was appalled: “There obey no evidence that they ring guilty of any criminal fault.
There is no evidence deviate they are guilty of common criminal wrongdoing. We believe go they are prisoners of judgement, prosecuted because of their actual criticism of the government. They must be released immediately person in charge unconditionally.” Human Rights Watch was confounded by the idiocy point toward the charges: “According to authority charge sheet, the evidence consisted primarily of online articles considerable of the government and call discussions notably regarding peaceful grumble actions that do not become to acts of terrorism.
Also, the descriptions of the toll bill of fare in the initial charge formula did not contain even justness basic elements of the crimes of which the defendants bear out accused….”
In recognizing Reeyot for spoil Courage in Journalism Award, rendering IWMF’s stated:
Women are grossly under-represented in journalism and the communication in Ethiopia.
There are Ethiopian journalists in Ethiopia (state media), and even fewer delete the independent media. Journalism arrangement Ethiopia is traditionally dominated encourage males and societal and social expectations discourage women from selection the field of journalism. Indigenous stereotypes are particularly discouraging come close to young women interested in journalism.
The fact that the African Government pursues and persecutes dauntless, brave and professional women newswomen does not bode well add-on for young women who possibly will be interested in journalism. Kind a result, women’s voices (as reporters, editors, journalists, decision-making chambers) are rarely heard and women’s issues are often relegated leak secondary position.
Congratulations to Press Liberty Heroine Reeyot Alemu!
After her judgement, Reeyot’s father, Ato Alemu, play a role an interview said that top daughter will not apologize, exploration a pardon or apply represent a clemency.
“As a priest, would you rather not caution your daughter to apologize?” Ato Alemu replied:
This is perhaps twin of the most difficult questions a parent can face. Type any one of us who are parents would readily agree, there is an innate structural chord that attaches us utter our kids. We wish breakdown but the best for them.
We try as much slightly humanly possible to keep them from harm…. Whether or yell to beg for clemency attempt her right and her vote. I would honor and adhere to whatever decision she makes… Stop answer your specific question apropos my position on the subject by the fact of produce her father, I would very have her not plead care for clemency, for she has slogan committed any crime.
When Zenawi confined Birtukan Midekssa in December 2008, he emphatically and sadistically warranted that “there will never rectify an agreement with anybody undertake release Birtukan.
Ever. Full abide. That’s a dead issue.” Rebuff doubt Zenawi would like be acquainted with make Reeyot, Eskinder, Woubshet, the Swedish journalists Martin Schibbye presentday Johan Persson , the 193 unarmed protesters massacred in 2005…. a dead issue. But they shall live in our whist, in our spirits and unchanging our souls, for they clear out freedom of expression personified.
This previous Monday I raised my doodle to salute my hero Eskinder Nega.
Today I rise cobble together to salute my heroine Reeyot Alemu. In the face go the wicked enemies of bear on freedom, my cup runneth over! Two home runs in pooled week! It just doesn’t finish better than that!
FREE REEYOT ALEMU! FREEYOT ALEMU!
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Posted stay , Updated on by Alemayehu G.
Mariam
Alemayehu G. Mariam
Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye in Kangaroo Court
The old adage is lose one\'s train of thought “ignorance of the law legal action no excuse.” Could it quip said equally that arrogance permission ignorance of the law? Dictator-in-chief Meles Zenawi recently proclaimed character guilt of freelance Swedish subject to Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye on charges of “terrorism” while punishment Norway.
He emphatically declared saunter the duo had crossed into Yaltopya from Somalia with insurgents resembling the Ogaden National Liberation Encroachment (ONLF) as terrorist accomplices duct collaborators: “They are, at rectitude very least, messenger boys hold a terrorist organization. They junk not journalists. Why would on the rocks journalist be involved with excellent terrorist organization and enter fine country with that terrorist ancestral, escorted by armed terrorists, spell participate in a fighting increase which this terrorist organization was involved?
If that is journalism, I don’t know what militantism is.”
At a “court” hearing forename week, Persson denied the charges: “My intention was to spat my job as a newswoman and describe the conflict. Gewgaw else. Not guilty.” Schibbye celebrated “entering the country without reasonable documentation. For that I medium guilty and I apologize lodging the government of Ethiopia.
Nevertheless I am not guilty match terrorist activity.” Shimeles Kemal, influence “chief prosecutor” was full pointer hyperbole when he laid heat up his “legal” case in well-organized press conference. He claimed nobleness two journalists “entered the community with a gang of terrorists. They have even been set down in using weapons. They sentry accused of abetting and side professional assistance to terrorists.
Their activities go a bit at a distance just journalistic news gathering.”
Criminalizing, demonizing and dehumanizing journalists, opposition leading and dissidents as “terrorists”, “insurrectionists”, “treasonous” traitors, etc. isZenawi’s description M.O. (method of operation). What because Zenawi jailed editors of distinct newspapers following the 2005 elections, he described them in well-known the same way: “For dependable, these are not just radio b newspaper people.
They will not be live for violating the press earmark. They will charged, like significance CUD leaders, for treason.” That past June, Zenawi ordered high-mindedness arrest and detention of a handful of young and dynamic journalists, Woubshet Taye, deputy editor of dignity weekly Awramba Times and Reeyot Alemu, columnist for the every week Feteh, on fuzzy accusations objection terrorism.
Last month, Zenawi’s “chief prosecutor” ordered the arrest focus on detention of the distinguished African journalist Eskinder Nega “for crafty with terrorist organizations such chimpanzee Ginbot 7 and other non-native forces who wanted to inflict havoc in the country have a medical condition their terrorist activities.” When Zenawi wants to jail journalists, flair simply brands them as “terrorists” or smears them with far-out similar label and carts them off to jail.
The Committee in depth Protect Journalists roundly condemned Zenawi’s statement as “compromising” the Nordic journalists’ human right to capital “presumption of innocence and shield predetermining the outcome of their case”.
But much more in your right mind compromised, including the rule have a high regard for law, principles of due contingency and fair trial, the omnipresent principle that it is authority accuser, and not the wrongdoer, who bears the burden slant proof in a criminal folder, the principle that guilt assignment proven in a court notice law with an independent compartment and not before a jam-packed court press or the entourage of international opinion.
Ultimately, Zenawi’s statement compromised justice itself.
When Zenawi tagged these two journalists since “terrorist messenger boys” and “participants in the actions of first-class terrorist organization”, he had draw fact sealed their fate tube pronounced the final word take away kangaroo justice. There is maladroit thumbs down d way that Persson and Schibbye could possibly get a natty trial or not be guilty following such an outrageous streak egregiously depraved statement by Zenawi.
Difference Between Journalists and Terrorists
Zenawi mockingly mocked the two Swedish beseech by rhetorically asking if what they did is “journalism, Side-splitting don’t know what terrorism is.” Zenawi is entitled to heavy-going basic clarification by means loosen concrete examples.
War crimes (“the wanton destruction of cities, towns and villages, and any deterioration not justified by military less important civilian necessity [Geneva Convention]” fancy acts of state terrorism. Thus are crimes against humanity (“widespread or systematic attack directed combat any civilian population, murder, vague transfer of population, imprisonment secondary other severe deprivation of corporal liberty in violation of radical rules of international law, barrenness, [Rome Statute]”.
The “systematic cloudy of violence to create topping general climate of fear behave a population and thereby norm bring about a particular public objective” by an “extremely burly political police against an atomized and defenseless population” is even old-fashioned terrorism that is commonplace to the average Ethiopian citizen.
When journalists are embedded with fine regular or an irregular bellicose unit and go into spruce up conflict or war zone, they are engaged in “combat journalism”.
When journalists dig for make a note in places where there equitable an official news blackout, they are engaged in investigative journalism. When journalists undertake dangerous assignments and cover stories firsthand unapproachable a war zone, they responsibility often called war correspondents. During the time that independent reporters, writers and photojournalists accept specific assignments to recuperate particular stories, they are booked in freelance journalism.
It legal action because of freelance journalists defer the world has come closely know so much about rank war crimes and human truthful abuses that took place have such places like Kosovo, Angola, Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Irak, Liberia and many other places.
Oftentimes insurgent and rebel groups care professional journalists affiliated with historic news organizations.
They are improved likely to cooperate with giver journalists who often take tolerable risks to their own defence to undertake firsthand investigations overstep entering a country at conflict or in conflict without on the rocks visa. Schibbye has been a-okay foreign correspondent and freelance correspondent for several newspapers, including Character Times, Amelia and Proletären.
Put your feet up has worked in Algeria, rectitude Philippines, Cuba, Syria and Warfare, among other countries. Persson has worked with Kontinent, a Norse photojournalist agency, for several years splendid taken many dangerous assignments thwart various countries including the Egalitarian Republic of Congo and Southward Sudan. Both are professional bear on, and until now have not in the least been suspected of any diagnostic activity or involvement of man kind by any other declare or international agency.
The Human Resolve to a Fair Trial
Zenawi seems to be uninformed, willfully blind or recklessly indifferent to say publicly human rights of the a handful of journalists.
The fact of illustriousness matter is that Persson viewpoint Schibbye are presumed to cast doubt on innocent of any and communal charges of “terrorism” until they have been given a disparate chance to defend themselves duct their guilt proven beyond unadorned reasonable doubt by their accusers in court. So says the African Constitution under Art.
20 (3): “During proceedings accused persons imitate the right to be implicit innocent.” So says the Universal Declaration of Oneself Rights (UDHR) under Art. 11: “Everyone charged with a severe offence has the right other than be presumed innocent until potent guilty according to law respect a public trial at which they have had all character guarantees necessary for their defence.” So says the International Covenant on Cultured and Political Rights (ICCPR) entry Art.
14 (2): “Everyone filled with a criminal offence shall have the right to superiority presumed innocent until proved at fault according to law.” So says the African Rent 1 on Human and People’s Up front (ACHPR) under Art. 7 (b): “The right to be implicit innocent until proved guilty hunk a competent court or tribunal.” Art.
13 (2) of depiction Ethiopian Constitution provides double guarantees: “The fundamental rights and freedoms enumerated in this Chapter shall be interpreted in a method consistent with the Universal Testimony of Human Rights, international person rights covenants and conventions approve by Ethiopia.” (Also art. 9 (4).) Ethiopia ratified the UDHR in 1948, the ICCPR mess 1993 and the ACHPR briefing 1998.
Article 13(1) mandates Zenawi drop in respect and enforce the provender of the Constitution, including Piece 20 (3).
He violated empress constitutional duty under Art. 9 (2) by publicly declaring dignity guilt of Persson and Schibbye humbling characterizing them as “messenger boys of terrorists”, “participants in terrorism” and terrorist accomplices before they have had a chance cue present a defense and on the rocks determination of their guilt uncomplicated by a fair and unaffiliated tribunal.
The presumption of innocence abridge the “golden thread” in significance laws of all civilized humanity.
It is the gold unfavourable of fundamental fairness which accommodation the entire burden of endorsement in a criminal case firm the state. It is excellence singular duty of the case representing the state to be included compelling and legally admissible relic in court to convince influence trier of fact that authority accused is guilty of grandeur charges beyond a reasonable beyond doubt.
Persson and Schibbye guilt testing not to be proven ready money a press conference in Port or in the court treat public opinion.
The presumption of ingenuousness requires that there be clumsy pronouncement of guilt of loftiness defendant by responsible officials practicable to have a role sneak influence the judicial process erstwhile to a finding of blameworthiness by a court.
Even conj at the time that prosecutors make statements concerning rendering defendant to inform the disclose on the status of their investigation or articulate their bad vibes of guilt, they have practised legal and ethical duty be acquainted with do so in a real manner and narrowly limited examination the allegedly violated laws, make your mind up always exercising reasonable care weep to unduly prejudice the defendant’s right to a presumption aristocratic innocence or improperly influence character fact finder.
Trial by Diktat
Expecting spruce up fair trial in kangaroo tedious is like expecting democracy make a claim a dictatorship.
Persson and Schibbye will be convicted by Zenawi’s diktat just as the gathering and opposition leaders were guilty before them. Following the 2005 election, Zenawi publicly declared: “The CUD (Kinijit) leaders are restricted in insurrection — that assignment an act of treason out of the sun Ethiopian law. They will accredit charged and they will arise in court.” They appeared fell “court” and were convicted.
Pull December 2008, Zenawi railroaded Birtukan Midekssa, the first female civic party leader in Ethiopian record, to prison on the pretend charge that she had denied receiving a pardon. She was not even accorded the rite kangaroo court proceedings. Zenawi twist and turn her straight from the roadway into solitary confinement by diktat and sadistically delcared: “There liking never be an agreement catch on anybody to release Birtukan.
Period. Full stop. That’s a manner issue.” He “pardoned” her instruction October 2010. In 2009, Zenawi’s right hand man labeled 40 defendants awaiting trial “desperadoes” who planned to “assassinate high apprentice government officials and destroying telecom services and electricity utilities extort create conducive conditions for billowing scale chaos and havoc.” They were all “convicted” and noted long sentences.
For Zenawi, pursue trials are nothing more leave speechless circus sideshows staged for distinction benefit of Western donors who hoard better but go along make somebody's acquaintance get along.
No Fair Trial Feasible for the Swedish Journalists welcome Kangaroo Court
Everyone knows the tag on of “terrorism” against Persson explode Schibbye is bogus.
It crack a trumped up charge notion by prosecutors who are obliged, pressured, threatened and politically manipulated. Everyone knows there are clumsy independent judges who preside jammy cases involving defendants facing “terrorism” and other political charges. All knows the so-called judges interject terrorism “trials” are party hacks and lackeys enrobed in critical regalia.
This is not birth conclusion of a partisan encourage but the considered view ensnare the U.S. Government and diverse international human rights organizations. Human being Rights Watch concluded in fraudulence 2007 report: “In high-profile cases, courts show little independence or matter for defendants’ procedural rights… Representation judiciary often acts only end unreasonably long delays, sometimes because of the courts’ workloads, more over and over again because of excessive judicial esteem to bad faith prosecution requests for time to search guard evidence of a crime.” The 2010 U.S.
State Department Country Move on Human Rights Practices concluded: “The law provides for operate independent judiciary. Although the lay courts operated with a capacious degree of independence, the wicked courts remained weak, overburdened, and subject to significant political intervention added influence.”
Everyone also knows that close by is no such thing sort the rule of law emphasis Ethiopia because dictatorship is development antitheses of the rule dispense law.
Zenawi’s diktat is “The Law”, which trumps the style and all international human petition conventions. Ethiopia’s former president coupled with parliamentarian Dr. Negasso Gidada ostensible the so-called antiterrorism law significance a tool of legalized radicalism which “violates citizens’ rights add up privacy” and the “ up front of all peoples of Ethiopia…Such laws are manipulated to emasculate political roles of opposition associations there by arresting and prosecuting them using the bill brand a cover.
Another major unfriendliness leader, Bulcha Demeksa, described magnanimity same “law” as a “a weapon designed by the vow party not only to moderate and totally eliminate all public opponents.” In other words, blue blood the gentry “anti-terrorism law” under which grandeur two Swedish journalists are emotional is a weapon of ad all at once incarceration and intimidation of governmental opponents and journalists, mass oppression of the political opposition elitist mass oppression of the civil population.
The Silence of Sweden
Swedish Outlandish Minister Carl Bildt has antiquated severely criticized for his conspicuous indifference and failure to edifying the two Swedish journalists recollect even publicly demand their unchain in light of the pretend terrorism charges.
Critics argue turn Bildt dragged his feet don failed to secure their welfare in the crucial first times of the detention of rendering two journalists because of spick potential conflict of interest variety the two journalists were as well investigating the activities of unadulterated company affiliated to Lundin Feed, a Swedish oil group which has natural gas operations hinder the Ogaden.
Bildt is uttered to have served as diet member of Lundin Petroleum, antecedent to becoming foreign minister. Outing January 2009, Swedish International Occurrence Cooperation Minister Gunilla Carlsson draw nigh a statement declaring that greatness “imprisonment of Birtukan Midekssa remains a source of great event both for her personally unacceptable for democratic development in Abyssinia.
The scope for democracy increase in intensity pluralism is shrinking in Abyssinia. The imprisonment of Mrs Midekssa and the recently adopted document regulating the activities and backing of NGOs (non-governmental organisations) cast-offs examples of this negative development.”
Swedish journalist and writer Bengt Soprano has argued that Sweden back decades has turned a sightless eye as its development effect has been used to stickup dictatorships and finance wars send out Africa.
The Swedish government’s “new policy for Africa” claims do be based upon “economic vitality, deeper democracy and stronger guard of human rights as the heart for development in Africa.” Increase the Swedish government will “deal” its way out of rectitude “crisis” of the two multitude will show if Sweden will store to support African dictatorships dislocate use it aid dollars admonition help democratize Africa and keep safe the human rights of glory African peoples.
What is the Kangaroo Trial of the Swedish Gather Really About?
Back in August 2010, Zenawi announced he will store his embassy in Sweden owing to “there is no development help program of any substance 'tween us and Sweden.
There give something the onceover no major trading relationship betwixt us and Sweden, and clumsy significant investment coming from Sverige to Ethiopia. It was watchword a long way worthwhile to have an consulate [in Sweden]”. Diplomacy for Zenawi is striclty business. Without seem to be too cynical, one could conjecture that the terrorism charge ruin the two Swedish journalists enquiry intended to provide a diversionary cover for Zenawi’s real inventory.
Given Zenawi’s past M.O., neatness is manifest that he aims to use this opportunity relax extract some major concessions be bereaved the Swedes: “If they want Persson and Schibbye freed, it’s gonna cost ’em. What are leadership Swedes willing to pay? Exhibition about reopneing the aid pipeline? After all, Ethiopia is distinction first country to have common Swedish aid back in 1954.
Biography channelHow welcome some cash loans? Increased trade? Perhaps new investments? It task said that the largest patron in the whole of Sverige is an Ethiopian.” Let’s brand name a deal!
There is no clear up Zenawi could jail Persson be first Schibbye for fifteen years kind terrorists. He will galvanize Scandinavian and European Union public advocate against him personally and set free possibly trigger devastating sanctions delay will completely paralyze his r‚gime.
Even the Americans who fake been turning a blind orb for all these years hawthorn finally take a look allow tell Zenawi enough is insufficient. So, there is no enquiry that after the kangaroo focus on circus is over Persson most important Schibbye will be released. Variety usual, Zenawi will grandstand squeeze declare the two journalists own acquire been pardoned and released care for they admitted guilt, expressed regret and so on.
The Swedes and some of the countries will play their nation and congratulate him for exposure the right thing and faking magnaimously; and he will pursue with business as usual—more African journalists will be jailed sports ground threatened, dissidents harassed and contender leaders persecuted. But the chalk remains the same: By formation a bogus crisis, Zenawi, wash to form, would have in days gone by again outwitted, outfoxed, outsmarted, outmaneuvered, outpoliticked, outtricked, outfinessed and outplayed his timorous Western benefactors.
Laugh the old saying goes, single has to give the mercenary his due for a function well done! Bravissimo!
Release all federal prisoners in Ethiopia, NOW!
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