By Aaron Maasho
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - The managing editor of one of
Ethiopia's few remaining independent Amharic-language newspapers publishing
critical analysis of local politics said he left the country last week for fear
of arrest, a U.S.-based press freedom group said.
He said he had been warned he would be arrested and that his
paper was unlikely to continue publishing, according to the New York-based
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), citing what it said Kebede had told the
group.
"The Ethiopian government's persecution of those
seeking to report the news and raise critical questions about issues of public
interest has driven the largest number of journalists in the world into
exile," Mohamed Keita, Africa Advocacy Coordinator for the CPJ said in a
statement.
A 2009 anti-terrorism law introduced after a series of
blasts says anyone caught publishing information that could induce readers into
acts of terrorism could be jailed for between 10 to 20 years.
More than 10 journalists have been charged under the law in
the past few months, according to CPJ, which says Ethiopia is close to taking
the mantle of worst jailer in the continent from Eritrea, a secretive
neighbouring country.
The Ethiopian government says the incarceration of
journalists has nothing to do with their reporting or political affiliation.
JOURNALISTS WORRIED
But journalists are worried.
"Ever since the anti-terror law came to effect, I have
become too careful to write on issues that might upset the government," a
correspondent based in the capital Addis Ababa who declined to be named told Reuters.
"In effect, it has made me avoid writing on certain
issues."
The government has banned five groups as terrorist
organisations: the secessionist Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and
Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), the exiled Ginbot 7 group, al Qaeda and Somalia's
al Shabaab militants.
"It is fair that we have a law like any other country,
but it is our job to write on any group and no journalist should be suspected
of criminal acts by reporting on them," a local radio reporter who
declined to be named said.
"It always sticks in your mind whether your publication
or broadcasting of rebel statements might get you in trouble. I have come to
believe that I have compromised my profession."
Terror charges have not been limited to journalists -- more
than 150 opposition politicians and supporters have been detained this year,
according to watchdogs.
Some analysts say Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's
ruling party, which was re-elected with a huge parliamentary majority in 2010,
is cracking down on opponents.
"The Ethiopian government is exploiting its vaguely
worded anti-terror law to crush peaceful dissent," said Rona Peligal,
deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch.
Government officials insist Ethiopia's laws do not stray
from international standards.
"Our law is no different to that of other developed
countries. I think many of the comments are politically motivated, they are not
realistic," Justice Minister Berhan Hailu told Reuters.
Berhan said the law proved Ethiopia's commitment to fighting
terrorism and that all suspects were getting fair trials.
Some journalists are not convinced, and want clearer
guidelines on offences that could land them in trouble.
"The law needs to clarify offences. Who would want to
spend a year or two in detention before being found innocent?" a radio
correspondent based in the capital said.
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