Friday, May 03, 2013

US slams Ethiopia's 'political persecution' of critics

(May 03, 2013, (Washington Dc))--The United States Thursday slammed "harsh" sentences handed down to an Ethiopian blogger and an opposition leader, voicing concerns about the "politicized prosecution" of government critics.



An Ethiopian court dismissed the appeals of blogger Eskinder Nega and opposition leader Andualem Arage, jailed last year for terror-related offenses. Eskinder was given an 18-year sentence, while Andualem was jailed for life.

The US was "deeply disappointed" that Ethiopia's federal supreme court upheld the men's "conviction and harsh sentencing," acting deputy State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said. "Today's decision further reinforces our serious concern about Ethiopia's politicized prosecution of those critical of the government and ruling party, including under the anti-terrorism proclamation."

Ventrell stressed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights gives everyone "a right to freedom of opinion and expression, and that this right includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference." Read more from Global Post »
(Read The Full Transcript on sate gov  Daily Press Briefing)

Related topics: 
Ethiopia confirms jail terms for blogger, opposition figure   
የእነአቶ አንዱዓለም ይግባኝ ውድቅ ተደረገ   

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