Ethiopia: EU urges regime to disclose charges against Merera Gudina

Dr. Merara Gudina

ESAT News (December 5, 2016)

The European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights on Tuesday urged the Ethiopian regime to make public any charges against Dr. Merara Gudina.

Dr. Gudina, who is chairman of the Oromo Federalist Congress, was arrested last week upon his return from Europe. Dr. Gudina was in Brussels where he testified at the European Parliament on the current political crises in Ethiopia and the gross human rights violations being perpetrated against ordinary citizens.

“I urge the Ethiopian Government to make public any charges it has brought against Prof. Merera and I will continue to follow his case very closely,’‘ Chair of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), Elena Valenciano, said in a statement.

Upon the invitation of the European parliament, Dr. Gudina, Prof. Berhanu Nega, leader of Patriotic Ginbot 7 and Olympic here athlete Feyisa Lilesa were in Brussels last week to testify against crimes perpetrated by the regime in Ethiopia.

The regime cited violation of the state of emergency declared in October to arrest Dr. Gudina. The martial law prohibits Ethiopians from communicating with political organizations that it labeled “terrorists.” Merara’s appearance with the leader of PG7, Prof. Berhanu Nega, at the European Parliament hearing drew a storm of campaign for his arrest by media affiliated with the regime.  

‘‘Moreover the state of emergency has led to further significant restrictions on freedom of expression, association, and assembly. I therefore reiterate Parliament’s demands as set out in its resolution,” Valenciano said.

“The European Parliament is aware of the difficult situation in Ethiopia and stresses the need to continue to support the Ethiopian people,” she further noted.