The Ethiopian regime’s phobia of HRW

By T, Blogger of De Birhan Blogspot

19 Sep. 2011

When I was with the business newspapers in Addis – the appointment of Ethiopians in World Bank (WB) was delicious news that took the master news section of the front page. We celebrated the appointment of Ethiopian personnel within the WB. Actually, we did when they assumed posts within other prestigious international organisations. I have just found another important Ethiopian who has assumed a gigantic position but was not reported (as far as I know) in any news media. However, I would like to announce this news at my tiny medium now.

The man that I have watched speak and deliberate in the run up to the 2005 election representing Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), has now assumed a big position within one of the most prestigious organisations, Human Rights Watch (HRW). I do not know since when he was in this post but I am sure that he took it up recently.  This man and his young colleague were arrested by the Ethiopian government and spent more than two years in prison just because they monitored the election independently. He is a true  man tested with the practical realities of human rights. This man is called, Daniel Bekele and his new prestigious position is , Executive Director of the Africa division of Human Rights Watch. His Profile  here reads that Daniel at this capacity,

 “Oversees a global staff and supervises research and advocacy. He also represents the organization before national and international organizations as well as government officials.”

Daniel is also completing his PhD in international law focusing on the topic of “Comparative Study of Media Law in East Africa” in Oxford University.

It really gives me an enormous amount of pride to see such successful Ethiopians.

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ethiopia’s phobia

The human rights track record of the Ethiopian regime is a public secret. It detains, harasses, coerces kidnaps, intimidates tortures, dictates, imprisons, manipulates, murders, and does anything and everything that enables it to repressively control the population. Amongst any international organisation, body or government, the Ethiopian government is sooooooo scared of one organisation; Human Rights Watch (HRW). The regime gave a deaf ear to previous annual human rights reports of the U.S.A., G.B. and E.U. on Ethiopia but it really cared and even campaigned against all HRW’s reports including the aid abuse, election stealing or human rights related reports and press releases.Last week the Eritrean government accused the human rights group, Amnesty International, for plotting to incite popular by infiltrating undercover staff into the country. Similar is the phobia of the Ethiopian government about HRW. The escalating crackdown on dissent in Ethiopia that followed the arrest of top political party leaders, journalists, and critics has showed another face of the antagonism of the regime against the Rights group. One of the charges on journalist Eskinder Nega and opposition leader, Andualem Arage suspects them of sedition. The sedition is in that ‘they spied on their country and feed info to foreign powers”. Before them also over a dozen of opposition leaders and ordinary citizens, who spoke to a team of Amnesty International were arrested.

Surprisingly, in Ethiopia today saying, “I am hungry” is sedition. Unfortunately, also telling human rights groups about human rights abuse and repression in the country is also sedition and spying on motherland. What a time!! Critics who spoke against the regime are being continually charged for inciting terror. It is the mantra of the day, anyone that opposes or poses a risk for them enjoys this label.

No country in the world, labelled HRW as its foe, none did take the reports of HRW as attempts of loading new ideologies or causing revolts. Most countries took the criticisms and recommendations of the rights group constructively. Why does the Ethiopian regime have to shiver with terror when enlightened Ethiopians speak to HRW ? Why should it at all be against an organisation that upholds humanity?

Now when Ethiopians are in a critical condition and the few bold who speak about their freedom and rights are rounded up and languish in the dishonourable prisons; No donor country, agency, or body stood by the people or imprisoned critics but HRW, Amnesty International, and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

Glory be to these organisations.

Real helpers are those who stand by you during your harsh times.The Ethiopian regime's phobia of the HRW contnues up until this minute. What kind of governemnt in the world would be so terrorised of a human rights organisation? 

You know the answer.