The global press freedom watchdog, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Thursday wrote to US Secretary of State John Kerry, asking him to include in his discussions at the African Union (AU) Summit the issue of press freedom in Africa.
Mr. Kerry is expected to attend the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as Africa marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity which led to the birth of AU.
In a copy of the letter which was seen by PANA, CPJ asked the US Secretary of State to ensure that the issue of press freedom remained in the discussion of Africa’s future so that the independent press in all AU countries are able to ‘work freely and openly without fear of reprisal’.
The press freedom watchdog also singled out Ethiopia where it alleged a ‘systematic crackdown on independent journalists has continued unabated’.
‘We urge you to state unambiguously to the Ethiopian government and all other governments gathered under the AU umbrella that a vibrant independent press is a necessary pillar of healthy economies, sustainable development, and long-term stability,’ the letter noted.
According to CPJ, with seven journalists behind bars, Ethiopia trails only Eritrea as Africa’s worst jailers of the press.
‘We are writing to bring to your attention the deteriorating state of press freedom in Ethiopia, where you will attend this year’s African Union Summit,’ Mr. Kerry was told.
The global press freedom body also alleged that Ethiopia, in particular, has been in the spotlight for its crackdown on press freedom in recent years and that authorities in that country launched a massive crackdown against critics and opponents as popular uprisings spread in North Africa and the Middle East.
CPJ pointed out that among the imprisoned journalists were award-winning columnists Eskinder Nega and Reeyot Alemu, both of whom were targeted under Ethiopia’s sweeping anti-terrorism law.
‘A vibrant press and civil society are fundamental to hold governments accountable and to ensure long-term development and stability,’ the letter emphasized.
PANA
No comments:
Post a Comment