Ethiopian authorities have sparked international concern over the detention of Belay Manaye, chief editor of Ethio News, without providing any explanation or charges. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for Manaye’s immediate and unconditional release, shedding light on the alarming state of press freedom in Ethiopia.
On November 13, Belay was apprehended by a group of uniformed police officers and security personnel in civilian clothing near the offices of Ethio News in Addis Ababa, as recounted by his wife, Belaynesh Nigatu, and Ethio News co-founder Belete Kassa. Despite being taken to the Federal Police Crime Investigation Center, Belay has been kept in detention with no disclosure of the grounds for his arrest or any appearance in court.
Muthoki Mumo, CPJ’s sub-Saharan African Representative, highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “Belay Manaye has spent three weeks behind bars without any explanation from Ethiopian authorities. This sends a grave message to other Ethiopian journalists–that they can be deprived of their liberty at any time.” The call for Belay Manaye’s unconditional release serves as a poignant reminder of the pressing need to safeguard press freedom and journalistic integrity.
Belaynesh, who visited her husband in jail, revealed his apprehension about being held under legal provisions enacted during the state of emergency declared on August 4 in response to the conflict in Amhara state. The emergency declaration grants the government expanded powers to maintain public peace and order amidst the armed illegal activities of the Amhara National Regional Government. However, this has raised concerns about the suppression of press freedom and the arbitrary detention of individuals perceived to be critical of the government’s actions.
The conflict in Amhara state, marked by the engagement of the Fano militia in a protracted struggle against federal forces since April, has intensified concerns about the ethical treatment of journalists reporting on the situation. Furthermore, the state of emergency law, as scrutinized by CPJ, confers extensive powers of arrest to security personnel, suspending due process and undermining constitutional rights.
Notably, Belay and Ethio News co-founder Belete have been actively covering the conflict in Amhara state through their news programs. Their unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity in the face of adversity underscores the critical role of the media in upholding transparency and accountability.
The ongoing detention of Belay Manaye is not an isolated incident. In July 2020, Belay and several colleagues from Amhara Satellite Radio And Television (ASRAT) were similarly detained on allegations of inciting violence. Although Belay was eventually released on bail without charge after 46 days, the pattern of targeting journalists raises alarming concerns about the state of press freedom in Ethiopia.
Efforts to seek clarity on Belay Manaye’s detention have been met with silence from the Ethiopian authorities. Queries directed to the federal ministry of justice and government spokesperson Legesse Tulu have yielded no responses, underscoring the opacity surrounding press freedom and the treatment of journalists in Ethiopia.
The international community’s attention is now firmly fixed on Ethiopia as calls for Belay Manaye’s release resonate across the globe. The urgency of ensuring the protection of journalists and upholding press freedom has taken center stage, propelling the need for accountability and transparency in Ethiopia’s treatment of journalists.
As the world watches with bated breath, the fate of Belay Manaye symbolizes a broader struggle for press freedom and the protection of journalistic rights in Ethiopia. The echoes of this pivotal moment ripple far beyond the confines of Addis Ababa, sparking a collective call for the liberation of Belay Manaye and the preservation of press freedom in Ethiopia and beyond.
