The Human Rights Actions Network - Derechos Human Rights http://www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/ Case ETH 161296 The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your intervention in the following situation in Ethiopia. Brief description of the situation : Reliable sources have informed the International Secretariat of the detention and possible torture of five journalists. Those arrested are Goshu Moges, of Tobiya Magazine, Aklilu Tadesse of Ma^Òebel magazine Dawit Kebede of Fiyamenta magazine were detained by security police on 12, 11 and 10 December respectively. The arrests of these journalists follow the arrests under similar circumstances at the end of November of Taye Belachew and Anteneh Merid of Tobiya magazine. None of these journalists has been charged. Given the circumstances of their there are grave fears for their physical and psychological integrity. OMCT notes that another 10 journalists are being held by the authorities and would appear to be part of a concerted effort on the part of the authorities to intimidate independant media Action requested : Please write to the Ethiopian authorities urging them to : i. guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of all above mentioned persons ii immediately release all the abovementioned persons in the apparent absence of valid charges. iii.carry out an exhaustive and impartial investigation into the detention of all abovementioned persons in order to identify those responsible, bring them before a competent and impartial court and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions in accordance with the laws; iîi.guarantee the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country, in accordance with national laws and international standards. Addresses : His Excellency Dr Negaso Gidada, President of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, Office of the President, P O Box 1031, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Fax : + 2511 552030 Mr. Mahteme Solomon, Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, P O Box 1370, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Fax : + 2511 550722 Geneva, 16 December 1996 Kindly inform us of all action taken quoting the code of the present appeal in your reply. Ben Schonveld Projects Manager OMCT - SOS Torture Tel: +41-22-733 31 40 Case Postale 119 Fax: +41 22-733 10 51 CH 1211 Geneva 20 Conf: omctsostorture@conf.igc.apc.org Switzerland OMCT@iprolink.ch OMCT is the l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture The World Organisation Against Torture