Ethiopia arrests at least 18 media professionals in two weeks

The number of journalists and media professionals arrested by security forces in Ethiopia in the past two weeks has reached at least 18.

Maeza Mohammed, a YouTube journalist who was reportedly arrested by security forces 0n, May 28, 2022, and two journalists were arrested yesterday.

Maeza Mohammed

In addition to the journalists who were reportedly arrested in the past few days, Finfinane Integrated Broadcasting (FIB), YouTube journalist Sebontu Ahmed and Bekalu Alamrew of Alpha TV were arrested on Friday, May 27, 2022.

The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said in a statement on Friday that the number of journalists and media professionals arrested by security forces had risen to 16, up from 18 on Saturday.

"The arrest of media professionals is of particular concern, not because it is against media law, but because the consequences go beyond the freedom of the media and expression," said Dr. Daniel Bekele, the commissioner of Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Bekalu Alamrew

The commissioner also criticized the practice of arbitrary arrests and the failure to reveal the whereabouts of the suspects after their arrest.

Criticizing arrests that violate media law and aggravate the situation, he called for the immediate release of all journalists and media professionals.

The commissioner also said, “Regardless of the alleged crimes committed by the media, they should not be used as an excuse to violate the newly enacted media law. The law explicitly prohibits arrest without a court order. ”

The following are some of the detainees who have been detained by security forces and are being prosecuted.

Yayesew Shimeles

Ashara Media Correspondents Gashaye Niguse, Getnetialew, Habtamu Melese, Daniel Mesfin, and Kelemu Gelagay, who were arrested a week ago in Bahir Dar, Amhara Region, were also arrested by an unnamed media outlet from the same town, Aratnus.

Also in Addis Ababa are Meskerem Abera from Ethio Niqat Media, Solomon Shumye from the Gebeyanu media, Temesgene Dessalegn from Fiteh Magazine, Shimeles from Ethio Media, Bekalu Alamrew from Alpha TV and Sebontu Ahmed from Finfinane Integrated Broadcasting (FIB).

In a telephone conversation with a federal police spokesman, the CPJ responded by saying, "No journalists have been arrested for their professional activities."

The CPJ added that the journalists and media professionals had been arrested for "police misconduct".

Temesgen Desalegn

The spokesperson also said that Shimeles and Temesgen Desalegn, who saw the case, were not allowed to comment further on their case.

He further added that his efforts to contact government spokespersons Legesse Tulu (Phd) and Kebede Debisa for more information were unsuccessful.

Community activists, journalists, and other professionals have been arrested in recent weeks since the Amhara region launched its "law enforcement" campaign.

The region said last week that more than 4,500 people had been arrested in the operation.

In addition to condemning the arbitrary detention of journalists and media professionals by Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the CPJ, the United States is concerned about the mass arrests of community activists and journalists, according to the Embassy in Addis Ababa.