Ethio News journalist Balay Manaye was arrested on November 13, 2023 by security forces from his office in Arat Kilo, Addis Ababa.
In a report released by the CPJ, an organization advocating for journalists’ rights, it has been three weeks since the journalist was arrested and he has not yet been brought to court.
Mutoki Mumo, the representative of CPJ in sub-Saharan Africa, stated that journalists in Ethiopia have been hindered in their ability to work freely.
The CPJ has called on the Ethiopian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release journalist Belay Manaye from prison.
Furthermore, the CPJ has urged the Ethiopian government to cease the arrest of journalists.
Belaynesh Nigatu, the wife of journalist Belay Manaye, visited the Federal Police Criminal Investigation Office where her husband was arrested.
Ethio News, a YouTube media outlet, is one of the most widely reported media platforms in the Amhara region, and it has been suggested that the journalist’s arrest may be related to this.
In Ethiopia, journalists are regularly arrested by government security forces and imprisoned for years without being charged.
When Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power, Ethiopia was a country where not a single journalist was imprisoned.
However, since the conflict began in northern Ethiopia, many journalists remain in prison, and international human rights organizations are demanding their release.
A war has erupted in the Amhara region since last April when the federal government disbanded the special forces of the Amhara region, citing the need for “reorganization of the regional special forces.”
The ongoing war between government security forces and Fano militants has led to a situation in the region that is beyond control. Consequently, a six-month state of emergency was declared by the House of Representatives in July.
Despite the government’s claims of peace and stability in the region, conflicts continue in many areas, resulting in disruptions to transportation activities.
Due to the ongoing war in the Amhara region, internet access has been cut off, and the government is being urged to restore internet access as it is considered a violation of citizens’ right to access information.
