The same Ministry has called a meeting on Sunday, January 4, 2004 to appoint a new Executive Committee. This action by the ministry is undemocratic and has no legal basis. I therefore urge International press institutions of which EFJA is a member, press organizations and Human rights activists, counterpart professional associations, Civic associations and all concerned to strongly condemn this meeting which contravenes the legitimate rights of members of the Ethiopian Free press journalists’ Association and the appointments of executive committee members.

As has been stipulated in Article 13, 21/1 and 2 of EFJA’s administrative regulations the power to call a meeting of the General Assembly and to appoint or remove the leadership (the executive committee) is vested in the general assembly actions being taken by a government body to suspend and throw out the executive committee elected by the general assembly and to appoint others whom it favors is tantamount to violating citizens constitutional rights. It is also an intrigue committed on the basis of abuse of power and authority.

The Executive Committee and members of EFJA will not participate at the illegal meeting under a situation where:

• The associations registration office of the ministry of justice has suspended the association and its executive committee
• An appeal against the decision has been lodged to the Minister of Justice.
• The decision that would be given by the Minister is unknown

The association’s executive committee’s present situation and future destiny would be determined by the general assembly that would be called in accordance with the association’s administrative regulations. If at all there are individuals who may participate in the meeting called by the Association’s Registration office, these individuals have nothing to do with EFJA.

I therefore call on press institutions counterpart professional associations and all democratic force to discard and turn down all messages sent and contacts made in the name of EFJA.

I call on the Ethiopian people, press institution and professional associations, counterpart association throughout the world to follow clearly and strongly condemn activities that are being carried out under false preteme of acting on behalf of the Executive Committee whom EFJA has elected and to whom it has bestowed upon responsibility.

EFJA totally denounces all destructive acts and attempts that open the way for violating the rights to freedom of expression, international conventions and infringement of citizenship rights. And it would continue to fight against these violations. We are convinced that the Ethiopian people, forces of peace and democracy and the international community would support and share our views and join our struggle.

Kifle Mulat
President, EFJA
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Addresses of Ethiopian officials are as follows.

Council of Peoples Representatives
P.O.Box 80001 Fax (251-1) 550900 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Council of the Federation
P.O.Box 80001 Fax (251-1) 550722 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

H.E. Ato Girma Wolde Giorgis President of FDRE
P.O.Box 1031 Fax (251-1) 552020 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

H.E. Ato Meles Zenawi Prime Minister of FDRE
P.O.Box 1031 Fax (251-1) 552020 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

H.E.Ato Harka Haroye, Minister of Justice, FDRE
P.O.Box1370 Fax (251-1) 520874 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

H.E.Ato Bereket Simon, Minister of Information, FDRE
P.O.Box 1364 Fax (251-1) 527967 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia