Addis Abeba – Ethiopian authorities must immediately release seven media staff detained against a backdrop of rising violence in the Amhara region, investigate allegations of physical assault against one of them and protect the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest for all, Amnesty International said today. Government forces and other armed actors have the duty not to target humanitarian workers. The Government of Ethiopia should promptly, thoroughly, independently, and effectively investigate the incident and bring perpetrators to justice in fair trials. “The chilling arrests of Genet Asmamaw, Getnet Aragaw, Aragaw Sisay, Meskerem Abera, Abay Zewdu, Dawit Begashaw and Tewodros Asfaw are an attack on the right to freedom of expression and media freedom. Last year Ethiopia was also among the top five countries in the world where many humanitarian workers were targeted.

Source: Ethiopian News April 18, 2023 08:04 UTC