Ethiopian jounalist Eskinder Nega (center) is released from jail in February 2018. The country's authorities since re-arrested Eskinder and at least five other journalists. (AFP/Yonas Tadesse)
Ethiopian jounalist Eskinder Nega (center) is released from jail in February 2018. The country's authorities since re-arrested Eskinder and at least five other journalists. (AFP/Yonas Tadesse)

CPJ joins call for Ethiopia’s prime minister-designate to ensure journalists’ immediate release

The Committee to Protect Journalists, along with 40 civil society organizations, yesterday sent a joint letter to Ethiopia’s prime minister-designate, Abiy Ahmed, urging him to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of recently arrested journalists, and human rights defenders.

All were detained without charge under Ethiopia’s latest state of emergency declared on February 16. Those arrested include journalists Eskinder Nega and Temesghen Desalegn, Zone 9 bloggers Mahlet Fantahun and Befekadu Hailu, blogger Zelalem Workagegnehu, and blogger and academic Seyoum Teshome.

The full letter can be read here.