Urgent Action Appeal
for Ethiopia
Ethiopian
Teachers' Association activists remain unjustly detained
Dear
colleagues:
In light of
the Urgent Resolution on Trade Union Rights Violations in Ethiopia, adopted
unanimously by the recent 5th World Congress, Education International calls on
your solidarity to ensure the immediate release of activists of the Ethiopian
Teachers' Association (ETA), a founding member of EI, detained in the
context of their legal trade union activities.
Our
colleagues Anteneh Getnet, Meqcha Mengistu and Woldie Dana have been in
detention in the Addis Ababa Kality central prison since their re-arrest last
May. More recently, the police have arrested Wibit Legamo, wife of Woldia
Dana, and Berrhanu Aba-Debissa, a member of ETA. They have been unjustly
accused of being members of an illegal organisation called "Ethiopian
Patriotic Front". Yet another member of ETA, Tilahun Ayalew has been
missing since last 28 May.
The
Ethiopian Courts resumes activities in the current month of October. Our
colleagues were scheduled to appear in Court on October 18th, now changed to
27, 28 and 29 November. To date, they have been denied bail. Therefore, it is
of utmost importance that the international community speak up for the release
of our colleagues. This is the time for us to mobilize and reiterate our claim
to the Ethiopian government: Set Them Free!
The attacks
of the government on the Ethiopian Teachers' Association continue. Later this
year, on December 14th, the Federal Supreme Court will hear an appeal
made by the ETA to a previous Court ruling dated 21 June 2007 that could result
once again in all the property of the ETA being transferred to the government
supported ETA, created in 1993. This last decision was not based on an
examination of the facts and appeared to be politically motivated. Although the
properties and assets of our member are important, it is the question of who
owns the name "Ethiopian Teachers' Association" itself that is the
main concern. We call this 'identity theft'. Since 1993, the government
has persistently undermined the legitimacy of the ETA.
Against this
backdrop, your solidarity is urgently needed. Education International calls
upon its affiliates to press the Ethiopian authorities to:
1)
Immediately release Anteneh Getnet, Meqcha Mengistu, Woldie Dana, Wibit Legamo
and Berrhanu Aba-Debissa.
2) Cease all actions interfering in the internal affairs of the ETA.
Over 1,600
delegates and observers to EI's latest World Congress approved the resolution
condemning the violation of trade union rights in Ethiopia. EI invites you to
join us now in making sure that the Ethiopian government knows that the
international community is aware of and concerned with the grave problems faced
by our colleagues and that we will continue to push the case for recognition of
human trade and union rights in Ethiopia. Our colleagues in the ETA are deeply
appreciative of your solidarity.
Your letters
should be addressed to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia and to the Ethiopian
embassy in your country and to the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the
United Nations. A copy of your letter should also be forwarded to EI for our
records.
Please send
appeals to:
Prime
Minister
His Excellency Meles Zenawi
PO Box 1031
Addis Ababa
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Fax: +251 11 552020
(the fax is often engaged, so also use surface mail and copy to the embassy)
Permanent
Representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations
Ambassador Fisseha Yimer
56, rue Moillebeau
P.O. Box 338
1211 Geneva 19
Switzerland
Fax: + 41 22 919 7029
