Netsanet Demissie and Daniel Bekele: Overview of Case

Update - 19 June 2007

Background: Immediately following the 15 May 2005 presidential elections, the opposition alleged rigging by the government and ruling party. Opposition supporters demonstrated in Addis Ababa, accusing the ruling party of fraud and the national election board of bias. Peaceful demonstrations led to violent confrontations with security forces, and at least 36 protesters were killed. Over 9,000 opposition supporters, journalists and activists were detained, but released by end of June.

In a second series of opposition demonstrations in November 2005, police shot dead at least 42 protesters, wounding many others. The security forces arrested about 10,000 opposition supporters. After this second demonstration the Prime Minister accused the opposition of treason and organizing a violent uprising to overthrow the government. Before the election, he had also claimed the opposition was encouraging ethnic hatred that could lead to genocide.

Their case: Netsanet Demissie and Daniel Bekele are two civil society activists, who have no political connection, and appear to have been arrested solely on the basis of their legitimate critique of the government during their work. Netsanet’s organisation – Organisation for Social Justice in Ethiopia - helped observe the May 2005 elections. Daniel works with ActionAid International in Ethiopia. They are both coordinators of the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP).

Both have been detained since November 2005 and their case began on 2 May 2006. They were charged alongside around 113 others, who are political opposition members and journalists, facing charges included treason and genocide. 

Daniel and Netsanet are being charged with criminal conspiracy with the intention of overthrowing the constitution or constitutional order. This charge carries a possible sentence of life imprisonment or death. They have been consistently denied bail, even upon appeal. 

Current status: A number of opposition members and journalists have had the charges against them dropped, and 38 of them were found guilty on 11 June 2007. As of 19 June, only 9 or 10 accused, including Daniel and Netsanet, are waiting to present their defence and hear their verdict. Their trial will resume again on 12 July. Trial observers estimate that the verdicts should be delivered by the end of July. 

International attention: International attention to the case has assisted in improving how Daniel and Netsanet are being treated in prison and in court. Last year, for instance, they were moved to their own house on the prison grounds. There have been regular observers each time the court resumes (European Union and USA particularly), as well as media attendance. International non-governmental organisations have also had regular observers. For information on past solidarity actions coordinated by CIVICUS, please visit www.civilsocietywatch.org and click on Take Action, and then on Ethiopia.  

The International Day of Solidarity with Daniel and Netsanet (28 June 2007) will continue global attention to their case. We hope that by reminding the Ethiopian authorities that we are watching, they will be more likely to acquit Daniel and Netsanet of the charges and release them.