14 February 2003

Alert

ARTICLE 19 releases report on legal framework for freedom of expression



(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) - The following is a 13 February 2003 ARTICLE 19 press release:

The Legal Framework for Freedom of Expression in Ethiopia

ARTICLE 19 today released a report on the current legal framework for freedom of expression in Ethiopia. ARTICLE 19 believes that the report will inform the ongoing dialogue in Ethiopia on the new draft press law.


The Report presents an independent assessment of the current legal framework for freedom of expression in Ethiopia and identifies the key areas of concern in relation to freedom of expression. The Report seeks to provide guidance and recommendations for consideration by the government of Ethiopia and other concerned parties with a view to prospective law reform or the enactment of new laws.

The Report indicates that a number of provisions in the Ethiopian legal framework are in breach of relevant international standards relating to freedom of expression. The recommendations therefore call upon the government of Ethiopia to take appropriate legislative and other measures to comply with its international and constitutional obligations to give effect to the right to freedom of expression and media freedom.

ARTICLE 19 believes that the current draft press law recently released by the Ethiopian government also breaches international standards relating to freedom of expression and makes the following recommendations:

- The government of Ethiopia should demonstrate its commitment to respect freedom of expression by, inter alia, taking positive measures to improve relations with the private media and to promote the development of a responsible, independent and effective media sector.

- The government should refrain from manifesting open hostility towards the private media and it should take positive measures to stop the arrest and other forms of harassment of journalists.

- The current draft press law should be withdrawn and the Press Law of 1992 should be amended in consultation with private media workers and civil society at large, through an open and transparency process.

- All criminal defamation laws should be abolished and replaced, where necessary, with appropriate civil defamation laws.

ARTICLE 19 also urges private media workers to contribute to the development of a responsible, independent and effective media sector by promoting higher standards of professionalism and ethics, and by addressing the current state of polarised relations by engaging in constructive dialogue with the government.

The report can be found on ARTICLE 19's website at http://www.article19.org/docimages/1513.doc




Source:

ARTICLE 19
Free Word Centre
60 Farringdon Road
London
EC1R 3GA
United Kingdom
info (@) article19.org
Phone: +44 20 7324 2517
Fax: +44 20 7490 0566
 

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