The Howl of Double Standard

Goitom Tatek Dec 30, 2011 (Addis Abeba)- Two Swedish citizens, Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson, have been sentenced for 11 years in Ethiopia for supporting terrorism and entering the country illegally. Prosecutors provided evidence throughout the trial and the defendants themselves acknowledged entering the country illegally with the terrorist group. Quite contrary to the claim, by some so-called groups of human right, that the trial of the Swedish journalists was political, Ethiopia’s judiciary system is purely independent and there could be no political influence against the judiciary.

Once the independent court has given verdict on the journalists, it is so natural that anybody obeys to it. This is true in Sweden or any other country as much as in Ethiopia. It is pertinent to ask here what actions would Sweden or any country take if it finds someone violating its territory and supporting a terrorist group. The answer is simple. It would either attempt to kill the offenders in the playing field or pursue what Ethiopia has followed. It is not clear why Swedish authorities or groups of press freedom are getting nerves. It is merely understandable that they do not mean they would release and pardon terrorist supporters with out trial.

Ethiopia has adopted Anti-Terrorism law. The main purpose of the anti-terrorism proclamation is to safeguard citizens and foreigners as well as property from any security threats and not to criminalize dissents or journalists or any body. The Ethiopian parliament, unlike some western countries that proclaim terrorists through executive body, has announced that ONLF, OLF, Ginbot-7, Al-Shabab and Al-Qaeda are terrorist groups.

The two Swedish journalists, if they had really the best of intentions, could naturally obtain essential information from the legal body and enter the Ethiopian territory accordingly. What they failed to understand is that Ethiopia is not Somalia- the hub of terrorists (Al-Qaeda link Al-shabab) and illegal individuals. Ethiopia has a binding Constitution, Proclamations, Rules and regulations and it is the land of the rule of law.

Very clearly, they know that Terrorists aim at the very destruction of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. These acts are what the generous people of Ethiopia and Sweden do not want to tolerate. Both are anti-terrorists. Both people and government of Ethiopia believe that there is a suitable constitutional legal framework to enter and out. The people and the government do not allow a terrorist act to sabotage the peace, stability and on going development endeavors. Both are eager to prevent such act to accelerate sustainable development, peace and security; democratic system and good governance. Having pure understanding of the stance of the government on protecting the rights of journalists and advancing the cause of democracy and good governance, one sees that it does not have the intent to criminalize journalists, opposition political parties or any one and to repress the right to expression. The right to opposition and to information is a constitutionally guaranteed right. The country pursues a multi party system assured in the constitution. There are also democratic institutions and independent judiciary body. There is an opportunity to present an appeal when one finds reason to.

The government has been repeatedly condemning destabilizing activities regardless of the identity of the perpetrators. The international community will never forget what the terrorist groups ONLF, OLF and Ginbot-7 have done years ago. Particularly, all including the two Swedish journalists know that ONLF has been bombing and killing innocent people and is responsible, among others, of the slaughter of 69 lives including 9 Chinese in Somali Region, Ogaden.

Both journalists had admitted contact with the ONLF and entering Ethiopia illegally, but rejected terrorism charges. And one of the journalist said his contact with the terrorists was professional. One wonders if terrorism is the profession he could discus with them. Journalistic mission and terrorist missions can not be harbored at the same time. If they had a purely professional purpose, they could do it following the accreditation process. European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) is not capable of proving that the judicial process was unfair and unjust. And by saying "It is obvious that this is a political sentence," it is suggesting that the journalists were in a political mission, as could be derived from their contact and support to a terrorist group that dreams everything but the good of Ethiopia.

Some Swedish officials demanded an immediate release of the journalists claiming their innocence. It has to be underlined, however, that the court has given its verdict and there is only one thing to do, and that is to respect the rule of law.

I would better quote Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s “Black’s blood is red and White’s blood is red.”This is the message to Amnesty international, Human rights watch, Reporters with out border and other alleging Ethiopia with out any base on human rights violation.