BACKGROUND INFORMATION The arrest and detention of Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie took place during major political unrest after the May 2005 elections. Opposition demonstrations in Addis Ababa in June and November 2005 protesting at alleged election fraud were violently dispersed and security forces shot dead 187 people. Six police officers were also killed, and there was considerable damage to property in the city. In the aftermath of the demonstrations, tens of thousands of opposition CUD party members were detained without charge or trial; some for several months. In December 2005, 131 CUD leaders and officials, journalists and human rights defenders were placed on trial (several in their absence) for political offences punishable by death or life imprisonment. Twenty-eight defendants were freed in April 2007 when the judges ruled that they had no case to answer. In July 2007, 38 of the other defendants, who had refused to present a defence, were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment or long prison terms. On 20 July, these 38 were pardoned and released with the agreement of the Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, after they signed a letter apologizing for "mistakes" in the demonstrations. Other similar guilty pleas and pardons followed, leaving only Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie currently remaining in prison after concluding their defence.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language: - expressing concern that Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie may be facing life imprisonment solely for their peaceful actions as human rights defenders; - stating that Amnesty International believes them to be prisoners of conscience; - calling on the Ethiopian authorities to release them immediately.
APPEALS TO: Prime Minister His Excellency Meles Zenawi, Office of the Prime Minister, PO Box 1031, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Fax: +251 11 1552020 Salutation: Your Excellency Minister of Justice Mr Assefa Kesito, Ministry of Justice, PO Box 1370, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Fax: +251 11 5517775 +251 11 5520874 Email: ministry-justice@telecom.net.et Salutation: Dear Minister
COPIES TO: Ethiopian Human Rights Commission Ambassador Dr Kassa Gebreheywot, Chief Commissioner, Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, PO Box 1165, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Fax: +251 11 618 0041 Email: hrcom@ethionet.et and to diplomatic representatives of Ethiopia accredited to your country. PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 22 November 2007. ******** Amnesty International, International Secretariat, 1 Easton Street, WC1X 0DW, London, United Kingdom
