Minister for Africa raises concerns over harsh sentencing under Ethiopia Anti-Terrorism laws
Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham spoke following the sentencing of Ethiopian blogger Eskinder Nega and opposition activist Andualem Arage last Friday.
“I am deeply concerned by the sentences handed down last Friday to Eskinder Nega, Andualem Arage and others under Ethiopia’s Anti-Terrorism Proclamation. We believe that these sentences are disproportionate and that the breadth of application of the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation risks undermining freedom of expression and limiting political space in Ethiopia. We remain ready to support Ethiopia in its efforts to combat terrorism. However, these efforts must take place while respecting universally recognised human rights norms. We have raised these concerns with the Ethiopian government at the highest level.”