Amnesty International’s Write for Rights letter writing marathon is still going strong! So far, over 500,000 letters have been written on behalf of prisoners of conscience such as Miriam Lopez in Mexico, Yorm Bopha in Cambodia, and Ihar Tsihanyuk in Belarus. There are still a few days left in the marathon to write a letter or several. To help you get started, I’m featuring the case of Eskinder Nega in Ethiopia.
About Eskinder Nega
Nega is a journalist serving an 18-year prison sentence for “terrorism”, although Amnesty International suspects he was only imprisoned because of his speeches and articles criticizing the government and advocating for free speech. Nega and his wife have previously been harassed and detained for his work. His case is especially pertinent since many of us write articles and are active on various issues, but we are free do this work without fear of retribution or harassment. However, not everyone has that luxury, and many are people like Nega, who choose to do the right thing in spite of the consequences. Below is a video with more information about his case.
Letter Writing Works in Ethiopia
Birtukan Mideska is an Ethiopian woman that was released from prison because of thousands of people writing thousands of letters on her behalf, letters similar to the one below for Eskinder Nega. Mideska was arrested in 2005 for participating in protests disputing the results of the election that year. She was arrested and sentenced to live in prison simply for expressing her political views peacefully. Her case was featured during the 2009 Write for Rights campaign, and on Oct. 6, 2010, the Ethiopian authorities released Mideska unconditionally. Her mother notified Mideska while she was in prison that people with Amnesty International were working for her release. If it can be done with Birtukan Mideska, then it can be done with Eskinder Nega. Write a letter today! Below is a sample letter with all the information you need to pressure the Ethiopian authorities to release Nega immediately and unconditionally.
Sample Letter
Hailemariam Desalgn
Prime Minister
P.O. Box 1031
Addis Ababa
ETHIOPIA
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing to ask you to immediately and unconditionally release Eskinder Nega. Eskinder was detained in 2011 and sentenced to 18 years in prison after publicly calling for government reform and promoting freedom of speech. He was detained solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression.
I am deeply concerned that your government has consistently used criminal proceedings and the threat of criminal charges to silence critics. Eskinder Nega himself has been arrested several times in the past for legitimately criticizing the Ethiopian government. Tolerance of criticism and opposing viewpoints is an essential part of any free and open society. I urge you to stop the harassment of journalists and other human rights activists, and to ensure the government allows voices of dissent and calls for reform.
I am also concerned that the Ethiopian government has employed the legislative system to restrict freedom of expression. The Anti-Terrorism Proclamation and the Charities and Societies Proclamation unduly restrict the right to freedom of expression and assembly by defining peaceful activities and legitimate criticisms as offenses against the state. I respectfully ask that you amend these laws so that all Ethiopians can exercise their human rights without fear of state retribution.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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