03 November 2005

Daniel Bekele, ActionAid International’s policy manager in Ethiopia, was this week arrested and detained in Addis Ababa without charge.  He is reportedly being held in unacceptable conditions.

A few weeks ago, armed assailants carried out a vicious attack on Mr. Bekele. That attack, and Mr. Bekele’s current detention have come at a time when Ethiopia is facing political tension and uncertainty, and when civil society is becoming a target for intimidation and violence.

ActionAid International demands:

1. that Mr. Bekele’s lawyer be granted immediate access to him
2. that a doctor be allowed to visit Mr. Bekele immediately to check his condition
3. that the Ethiopian government respect and protect the independence and autonomy of civil society organizations, and guarantee the safety of their staff.