Save Reeyot Alemu, Imprisoned International award winning journalist

His Excellency Prime Minister  Hailemariam Desalegn

Addis Ababa

Imprisoned Ethiopian journalist Reeyot Alemu is the winner of the 2013 UNESCO-Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, 2012 Courage in Journalism Award winner is still langushing in jail.

Reeyot Alemu has been imprisoned in Ethiopia for more than 2 years, branded as a terrorist. She is one of many journalists who have been arrested, interrogated and threatened in her country. What makes Alemu exceptional are her commitment to work for independent media when the prospect of doing so became increasingly dangerous, her refusal to self-censor in a place where that practice is standard, and her unwillingness to apologize for truth-telling, even though contrition could win her freedom. In jail, Alemu was offered clemency if she agreed to testify against journalist colleagues. She refused and was sent to solitary confinement for 13 days as punishment for her failure to cooperate. She is currently being kept at Kality prison, which is known for its filthy conditions. Recently, she has fallen ill; in April of this year she underwent surgery at nearby hospital to remove a tumor from her breast, after which she was returned to jail with no recovery time.  Abstract from International women’s Media foundation (IWMF, 2012)

Now September 11 is a New Year in Ethiopia and apparently September 10 is eve. It was supposed to be time of celebration and enjoyment but not for Ethiopians who suffer under tyrant regime in general and for those who are languishing in jail in particular. Reeyot Alemu, who is one of those who languish in jail, had to face the harshest treatment one can think of. She is denied to be visited by her admirers, friends and family members except her parents and spiritual counselor. No reason or explanation was given for such an absurd decision.  Regrettably we learnt from her mother that she is being harassed, abused, dehumanized, and threatened by the prison administration and cell inmate. Her cell inmate, a colonel who was imprisoned because of her insolvent in massive corruption ring, was moved to her cell on September 9. One wonders as to why they put Reeyot with the colonel is unknown and is questionable. The prison administrators for so long have been trying to frustrate and psychologically break her moral.  Add salt to wound, the visitation of time of her parents was cut off, she was harshly pushed back to her cell. But she let the prison administrator know that,  “I don’t start what I am not willing to finish, If your intention is to break my sprit and make me surrender, that will never happen. If you want to kill me, shoot right now and take me out.”

 As it became unbearable, and gross human right violation continued, Reeyot is now on hunger strike as of September 10 2013.  

As citizens of planet earth, we have the obligation and responsibility to save the life of this courageous journalist.

We demand:

·         An immediate and unconditional release of Reeyot Alemu and all other political prisoners.

·         Reeyot Alemu be given proper treatment and safety assurance for her well being.

·         Those prison administrators and decision makers who abuse citizens be removed from their position and brought to justice.

Sincerely