Association warns that illegal detentions undermine press freedom and citizens’ right to expression.
KEYIR NEWS - The Ethiopian Media Professionals Association has demanded accountability following the abductions of two journalists, Yonas Amare and Abdusemed Mohamed, who were unlawfully detained and held incommunicado for nearly two weeks before their release.
According to the association, journalist Abdusemed was released after 12 days in captivity, while journalist Yonas was freed after 10 days. During their disappearance, neither their families nor colleagues were informed of their whereabouts, a situation the association condemned as a grave violation of legal and human rights standards.
“The abduction and disappearance of these journalists was an illegal act,” the association stated. “Even if journalists are accused of wrongdoing, it is unacceptable to abduct or harass them instead of subjecting them to due process.”
While welcoming the release of the two men, the association stressed that their unlawful detention must not go unpunished. It called on authorities to ensure that those responsible are brought before the law, warning that failure to act would further erode public confidence in the rule of law.
The association also voiced concern over the wider implications for Ethiopia’s media landscape. It noted that incidents of harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary detention of journalists create a climate of fear, weakening independent journalism and restricting citizens’ right to free expression.
“Such acts stifle the media environment in the country,” the statement continued. “If journalists are unable to report freely and without fear, it is the public that ultimately loses access to vital information.”
The Ethiopian Media Professionals Association reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for press freedom and safeguarding journalists’ rights. It urged stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, and international partners, to work collectively towards creating an enabling environment for media professionals.
Press freedom in Ethiopia has faced repeated challenges in recent years, with local and international watchdogs expressing concern over cases of intimidation and arbitrary detention of journalists.
The association’s latest call underscores mounting pressure on authorities to uphold constitutional guarantees of free expression and to ensure that journalists are able to carry out their work without fear of reprisal.
For many in the media community, the release of Yonas Amare and Abdusemed Mohamed is a relief, but their ordeal has left urgent questions about accountability and the protection of press freedom in Ethiopia.