List of detained journalists and activists in Ethiopia (2023)

This is a list of journalists and activists detained in Ethiopia in 2023. CPJ reported that in April 2023 alone, 47 human rights organizations made calls on the government of Ethiopia (Abiy Ahmed) to end internet shut downs and digital communications access.

The current Oromo-led Prosperity Party continued its crackdown against ethnic Amhara and related public defenders in 2023. Various arrests of oppositions and media have already been reported since the government came to power in 2018, and condemned by various international groups. Most of these detentions and arbitrary arrests are reported as part of government crackdowns. Those still imprisoned prior to 2023 and still detained are also listed in a separately table. Previous arbitrary arrests by the TPLF-dominated EPRDF parties were criticized for abusing the Anti-terrorism Proclamation (ATP) law to limit freedom of the press, silence voices, and persecute members of perceived opponents. Similarly, most of the charges imposed against the 2023 detainees by the Prosperity Party regime are also ATP-related.

Definitions United Nations: According to Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966), "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law."  Center for Justice and Accountability: "Arbitrary or unlawful detention occurs when an individual is arrested and detained by a government without due process and without the legal protections of a fair trial, or when an individual is detained without any legal basis for the deprivation of liberty." International human rights instruments: "Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law." Harvard Law: "UN Human Rights Committee's General Comment No. 35 summarizes the treaty body's interpretation of the right to liberty of person, including protection against arbitrary detention, under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is one of the principal human rights treaties at the global level."

Reactions Amnesty International published a report calling on the government to respect the right to peaceful protest and immediately release detained media staff. The report emphasized that journalists and media workers need to do their work without threat, intimidation and harassment.

Committee to Protect Journalists: Published a series of reports with details of arbitrary arrests of ethnic Amhara journalists and activists, and called for immediate releases.

Ethiopia Human Rights Council: Listed the names of detainees and condemned the mass arrests of media groups and public defenders.

Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center (EHRDC): the group called on the Ethiopian government to the immediate release of journalists and to stop the restriction of access to the free flow of information.

List These lists are not complete. In May 2022 alone, at least 4000 Amhara dissidents were arrested by the Prosperity Party regime, and their status is unknown.

+Detained prior to 2023 and still imprisonedNameRegionPositionDate arrestedStatusDescription & referenceZemene Kassie (Patriot)Bahir Dar, Amhara region Amhara Public Resistance Force (Fano and Militia), leaderSeptember 21, 2022Released in bail as of June 6, 2023Part of "major" crackdown by regional and federal security forces.Tadios Tantu (~80-year-old-man)Addis Ababa (originally from Wolayta)Author, historian, and human rights defenderSince May 5, 2021 (disappeared)Still imprisonedPart of crackdown and arbitrary arrest of Human rights defenders. Appeared in court to face charges of terrorism and using force to overthrow the government.

+Detained in 2023 NameRegionPositionDate arrestedStatusDescription & referenceErmias MekuriaAddis AbabaMay 12, 2023 Humanitarian worker for Debre Birhan IDPsDetainedPart of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023Gobeze Sisay UnclearMay 6, 2023 Amhara Voice internet broadcaster, Founder and journalistFirst detention in 2023. Overall, he was arrested at least twice since 2022.Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023.Zerihun GessesseAmhara regionMay 2023 ActivistReleased in bail as of May 12, 2023Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023.Aynaddis WalelignDebre Markos, Amhara regionMay 3, 2023 ActivistDetained Part of governments' crackdown and arbitrary arrest of Human rights defenders, and activists.Mohammed YimamHayk, South Wollo, Amhara regionOpposition leaderApril 30, 2023 Detained and beaten as of May 11, 2023Part of governments' crackdown and arbitrary arrest of Human rights defenders, and oppositions.Infant of Keleb Seyoum (4-month-old infant)Addis AbabaInfant, child of Keleb Siyoum April 30, 2023 Detained with her mother Contracted infection during detain and released when her mother bailed as of May 3, 2023Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara opposition, journalists and activists in 2023.Keleb SeyoumAddis AbabaOpposition officer, Balderas for True Democracy PartyApril 30, 2023 Detained Released with bail (as of May 3, 2023)Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara opposition, journalists and activists in 2023.Ameha DagnewNot specifiedVice President of opposition, Balderas for True Democracy Party April 18, 2023 Detained. Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023.Senayet Ayalew & Elias DebasBahir Dar, Amhara regionAshara media internet broadcaster, journalist April 13, 2023 Released in bail (as of April 27, 2023)Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023.Tewodros AsfawAddis AbabaEthio Selam internet broadcasterApril 13, 2023 Released in bail on June 10, 2023Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of journalists and activists in 2023. Accused of inciting violence.Dawit BegashawBahir Dar, Amhara then transferred to Addis AbabaArat Killo YouTube channel, FounderApril 12, 2023A freelance journalist Part of mass arrest of Amhara journalists and activists.Meskerem AberaAddis AbabaEthio Nikat YouTube channel, FounderApril 9, 2023Third arrest since 2022. Part of mass arrest of Amhara journalists and activists Accused of giving alleged "shooting exercise" to informal groups.Aleligne MihretuNot specifiedDefense lawyer, represented Amhara detainees. Known for representing Colonel Demeke Zewdu, during EPRDF regime.April 7, 2023Released in bail as of April 25, 2023Part of mass arrest of Amhara defenders.Genet Asmamaw Addis AbabaYeneta (Medlot) YouTube journalist April 6, 2023Abused by Addis Ababa police during arbitrary arrest. DetainedPart of mass arrest of Amhara journalists and activists.Abay ZewduAddis AbabaAmhara Media Center YouTube channel, editor-in-chief April 6, 2023Released in bail as of April 25, 2023Accused of inciting violence & unrest.Worku Tesfaye WoldemariamNot specifiedActivistApril 4, 2023 DetainedPart of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023.Henok AddisuNot specifiedActivistApril 4, 2023 Detained. Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023.Tesfaye Yehualaeshet FasilNot specifiedActivistApril 4, 2023 DetainedPart of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023.Solomon Lemenih KetemaNot specifiedActivistApril 4, 2023 DetainedPart of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023.MenbereNot specifiedActivistApril 4, 2023 DetainedPart of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023.Dr. BekeleNot specifiedActivistApril 4, 2023 DetainedPart of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023.Dawit Ababu BitewAddis AbabaActivistApril 4, 2023 DetainedPart of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023.Tadesse Weyinew TessemaAddis AbabaActivistApril 4, 2023 DetainedPart of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023.Muluken Wonde BitewAddis AbabaActivistApril 4, 2023 DetainedPart of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023.Tewodros Teshome AyenewAddis AbabaActivistApril 4, 2023 DetainedPart of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023.Samuel AssefaAddis AbabaEMS (Ethiopian Media Services), reporter April 4, 2023DetainedFor reporting the demolition of residential houses in Addis Ababa.Maeregu Biyabeyen Not specifiedassistant professorApril 2023 DetainedPart of mass arrest of Amhara defenders.Sisay AwgichewNot specifiedassistant professor, and Shewa Peace and Development Association, LeadershipApril 2023 DetainedPart of mass arrest of Amhara defenders.Assefa Adane (PhD)Not specifiedassistant professor and Negere Wolkait Media editor April 2023 DetainedPart of mass arrest of Amhara defenders.Aragaw SisayAddis AbabaRoha News (YouTube streaming media), Founder and Editor-in-chiefMarch 26, 2023Released in bail as of April 25, 2023Accused of terrorism and inciting violence on social media.Getenet AshagreAddis AbabaVoice of Amhara YouTube-based broadcaster, Editor-in-chiefMarch 26, 2023Released in bail as of April 25, 2023Accused of inciting of violence on social media. Charges not specified.Beyene Wolde Addis AbabaGurage Media Network news website, Founder and editorMarch 2, 2023Still detained as of March 22, 2023Accused of terrorism and incitement.Eskinder Nega Bahir Dar, Amhara RegionJournalist, activist, and founder and former Balderas for True Democracy Party leader February 24, 2023. In the past 30 years, he was imprisoned numerous times.Released in February 26 (or 27), 2023Charges not specified.Tewodros AsfawAddis AbabaEthio Selam internet broadcasterFebruary 14, 2023 Released on bail on February 18, 2023 (RSF reported February 22, 2023. Has left the country)Accused of inciting violence and sowing distrust of the government related to the attack against the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.Amanuel AsfawAddis AbabaEthio Selam internet broadcasterFebruary 14, 2023Still in custody as of February 18, 2023Accused of inciting violence and sowing distrust of the government related to the attack against the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.Meseret TamiruAddis AbabaEthio Selam internet broadcasterFebruary 14, 2023Still in custody as of February 18, 2023Accused of inciting violence and sowing distrust of the government related to the attack against the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.Yosef Ketema (Deacon)Addis AbabaEOTC TV— Oromo language reporterFebruary 13, 2023Released on February 21, 2023Accused of terrorism and inciting violence for covering a split related to the attack against the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.Sentayehu ChekolAddis AbabaMember of the Balderas opposition partyFebruary 12, 2023Released on April 11, 2023, following the mass Amhara protest in the countryPart of the crackdown of members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.Daniel TesfayeAddis AbabaEHRCO's human rights officerJanuary 5, 2023UnknownArrested for investigating illegal evictions and demolitions in Addis Ababa.Bezuayehu WondimuAddis AbabaEHRCO's human rights officerJanuary 5, 2023UnknownArrested for investigating illegal evictions and demolitions in Addis Ababa.Bereket DanielAddis AbabaEHRCO's human rights officerJanuary 5, 2023UnknownArrested for investigating illegal evictions and demolitions in Addis Ababa.Nahom HusenAddis AbabaEHRCO's human rights officerJanuary 5, 2023UnknownArrested for investigating illegal evictions and demolitions in Addis Ababa.