PRESS RELEASE

World Free Press Institute calls on Ethiopia to repeal repressive law
WFPI Press Release
December 19, 2003
H.E. Ato Harka Hariye
Minister of Justice
Ethiopia

H.E. Ato Bereket Simon
Minister of Information
Ethiopia

Your Excellencies:

Please consider this request to reconsider your recent policies regarding the independent media in Ethiopia.

The World Free Press Institute, an international consortium of editors and publishers, believes that freedom of expression is the cornerstone of a healthy society. Recent proposals regarding changes to Ethiopia’s press laws run counter to the development of a free press, and for this reason we urge you to withdraw them.

Additionally, we are greatly concerned by the recent ban on the activities of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association. We believe that this internationally recognized organization plays a valuable role in Ethiopian society. In most countries there is friction between government and the free press. It is our conviction that this leads to a stronger society and greater understanding.

Please consider these words from Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Your government is a signatory to this great document, which is fundamental to freedoms in every country around the globe:

"Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

We believe this charter, sanctioned by the Ethipian government, is as important now as it was when your government ratified it on December 10, 1948. Freedom of expression is not a gift from a government. It is not a right available only to citizens of certain nations or members of particular religions, races, or creeds. It is a universal birthright. The Ethiopian government pledged in writing to the world 65 years ago that it would guarantee to its citizens these basic human rights.

We believe that the proposed press law is in violation of the spirit of the Universal Declaration, and we ask that it be withdrawn. Further, we ask that the ban on the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists Association, a lawfully constituted entity, be withdrawn immediately and that any sanctions or restrictions on its officers and members be lifted.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to a new year of peace, freedom and prosperity.

Sincerely,

Clayton Haswell, president
World Free Press Institute
San Francisco

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