# 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 imprisoned :
| Name | Region | Position | Date arrested | Status | Description & reference |
| Zemene Kassie (Patriot) | Bahir Dar, Amhara region | Amhara Public Resistance Force (Fano and Militia), leader | September 21, 2022 | Released in bail as of June 6, 2023 | Part 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 defender | Since May 5, 2021 (disappeared) | Still imprisoned | Part 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 :
| Name | Region | Position | Date arrested | Status | Description & reference |
| Ermias Mekuria | Addis Ababa | May 12, 2023 | Humanitarian worker for Debre Birhan IDPs | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023 |
| Gobeze Sisay | Unclear | May 6, 2023 | Amhara Voice internet broadcaster, Founder and journalist | First 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 Gessesse | Amhara region | May 2023 | Activist | Released in bail as of May 12, 2023 | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. |
| Aynaddis Walelign | Debre Markos, Amhara region | May 3, 2023 | Activist | Detained | Part of governments' crackdown and arbitrary arrest of Human rights defenders, and activists. |
| Mohammed Yimam | Hayk, South Wollo, Amhara region | Opposition leader | April 30, 2023 | Detained and beaten as of May 11, 2023 | Part of governments' crackdown and arbitrary arrest of Human rights defenders, and oppositions. |
| Infant of Keleb Seyoum (4-month-old infant) | Addis Ababa | Infant, 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, 2023 | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara opposition, journalists and activists in 2023. |
| Keleb Seyoum | Addis Ababa | Opposition officer, Balderas for True Democracy Party | April 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 Dagnew | Not specified | Vice 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 Debas | Bahir Dar, Amhara region | Ashara 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 Asfaw | Addis Ababa | Ethio Selam internet broadcaster | April 13, 2023 Second arrest | Released in bail on June 10, 2023 | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of journalists and activists in 2023. Accused of inciting violence. |
| Dawit Begashaw | Bahir Dar, Amhara then transferred to Addis Ababa | Arat Killo YouTube channel, Founder | April 12, 2023 | A freelance journalist | Part of mass arrest of Amhara journalists and activists. |
| Meskerem Abera | Addis Ababa | Ethio Nikat YouTube channel, Founder | April 9, 2023 | Third arrest since 2022. Part of mass arrest of Amhara journalists and activists | Accused of giving alleged "shooting exercise" to informal groups. |
| Aleligne Mihretu | Not specified | Defense lawyer, represented Amhara detainees. Known for representing Colonel Demeke Zewdu, during EPRDF regime. | April 7, 2023 | Released in bail as of April 25, 2023 | Part of mass arrest of Amhara defenders. |
| Genet Asmamaw | Addis Ababa | Yeneta (Medlot) YouTube journalist | April 6, 2023 | Abused by Addis Ababa police during arbitrary arrest. Detained | Part of mass arrest of Amhara journalists and activists. |
| Abay Zewdu | Addis Ababa | Amhara Media Center YouTube channel, editor-in-chief | April 6, 2023 | Released in bail as of April 25, 2023 | Accused of inciting violence & unrest. |
| Worku Tesfaye Woldemariam | Not specified | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. |
| Henok Addisu | Not specified | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained. | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. |
| Tesfaye Yehualaeshet Fasil | Not specified | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. |
| Solomon Lemenih Ketema | Not specified | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. |
| Menbere | Not specified | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. |
| Dr. Bekele | Not specified | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. |
| Dawit Ababu Bitew | Addis Ababa | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. |
| Tadesse Weyinew Tessema | Addis Ababa | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. |
| Muluken Wonde Bitew | Addis Ababa | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. |
| Tewodros Teshome Ayenew | Addis Ababa | Activist | April 4, 2023 | Detained | Part of crackdown and mass arbitrary arrest of Amhara journalists and activists in 2023. |
| Samuel Assefa | Addis Ababa | EMS (Ethiopian Media Services), reporter | April 4, 2023 | Detained | For reporting the demolition of residential houses in Addis Ababa. |
| Maeregu Biyabeyen | Not specified | assistant professor | April 2023 | Detained | Part of mass arrest of Amhara defenders. |
| Sisay Awgichew | Not specified | assistant professor, and Shewa Peace and Development Association, Leadership | April 2023 | Detained | Part of mass arrest of Amhara defenders. |
| Assefa Adane (PhD) | Not specified | assistant professor and Negere Wolkait Media editor | April 2023 | Detained | Part of mass arrest of Amhara defenders. |
| Aragaw Sisay | Addis Ababa | Roha News (YouTube streaming media), Founder and Editor-in-chief | March 26, 2023 | Released in bail as of April 25, 2023 | Accused of terrorism and inciting violence on social media. |
| Getenet Ashagre | Addis Ababa | Voice of Amhara YouTube-based broadcaster, Editor-in-chief | March 26, 2023 | Released in bail as of April 25, 2023 | Accused of inciting of violence on social media. Charges not specified. |
| Beyene Wolde | Addis Ababa | Gurage Media Network news website, Founder and editor | March 2, 2023 | Still detained as of March 22, 2023 | Accused of terrorism and incitement. |
| Eskinder Nega | Bahir Dar, Amhara Region | Journalist, 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), 2023 | Charges not specified. |
| Tewodros Asfaw | Addis Ababa | Ethio Selam internet broadcaster | February 14, 2023 First arrest | 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 Asfaw | Addis Ababa | Ethio Selam internet broadcaster | February 14, 2023 | Still in custody as of February 18, 2023 | Accused of inciting violence and sowing distrust of the government related to the attack against the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. |
| Meseret Tamiru | Addis Ababa | Ethio Selam internet broadcaster | February 14, 2023 | Still in custody as of February 18, 2023 | Accused of inciting violence and sowing distrust of the government related to the attack against the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. |
| Yosef Ketema (Deacon) | Addis Ababa | EOTC TV— Oromo language reporter | February 13, 2023 | Released on February 21, 2023 | Accused of terrorism and inciting violence for covering a split related to the attack against the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. |
| Sentayehu Chekol | Addis Ababa | Member of the Balderas opposition party | February 12, 2023 | Released on April 11, 2023, following the mass Amhara protest in the country | Part of the crackdown of members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. |
| Daniel Tesfaye | Addis Ababa | EHRCO's human rights officer | January 5, 2023 | Unknown | Arrested for investigating illegal evictions and demolitions in Addis Ababa. |
| Bezuayehu Wondimu | Addis Ababa | EHRCO's human rights officer | January 5, 2023 | Unknown | Arrested for investigating illegal evictions and demolitions in Addis Ababa. |
| Bereket Daniel | Addis Ababa | EHRCO's human rights officer | January 5, 2023 | Unknown | Arrested for investigating illegal evictions and demolitions in Addis Ababa. |
| Nahom Husen | Addis Ababa | EHRCO's human rights officer | January 5, 2023 | Unknown | Arrested for investigating illegal evictions and demolitions in Addis Ababa. |
Yidnekachew Kebede (Addis Ababa) (Activist lawyer, Social Media Influencer and Journalist) (Arrested on August 17, 2023 and released on September 1, 2023) (Reason: Part of the crackdown on Amhara activists and cause) https://www.voanews.com/a/ethiopia-arrests-3-journalists-under-new-state-of-emergency/7258701.html