14 March 2005
Alert
Federal High Court upholds decision recognising EFJA's legal status
(EFJA/IFEX) - The following is a 3 March 2005 EFJA press release:
EFJA's existence legally confirmed
Justice Ministry's appeal declared null and void
On 3 March 2005, the Federal High Court, which has the final authority, declared a Justice Ministry appeal null and void and upheld a Federal First Instance Court decision recognising the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association's (EFJA) legal status. Earlier, EFJA and its leadership had filed a lawsuit against the Justice Ministry at the Federal First Instance Court, which, on 24 December 2004, ruled that EFJA was a legally recognised association.
EFJA and its entire membership have, for the second time, won their case in a court of law. The EFJA's legality and its status as the sole representative of members of the free press have been confirmed.
EFJA expresses its deep appreciation to friends of the free press, international press institutions, human rights activists and democratic forces for condemning the unjust treatment that EFJA suffered during the last sixteen months.
EFIA will soon give a press conference to local and foreign journalists on the current situation and its future activities.
We take this opportunity to call on the Ethiopian people and our international partners to continue their participation by doing all that is necessary and possible.
Press freedom in Ethiopia shall flourish!
Kifle Mulat
President
Ethiopian Free press Journalists' Association (EFJA)
3 March 2005, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Source:
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