Justice in the eyes of the Opposition and some western media: The case of Bekele Jirata

(Aigaforum Feb 5 2009):-It has been known for many that Ethiopia’s inept opposition and their hirelings from the foreign media were and still are on a continued smear campaign on the judicial organ in Ethiopia. No matter what, these forces never give the slightest due respect for any of the institutions in Ethiopian that are struggling to enforce the rule of law so that stable and democratic Ethiopia emerges.

Today some of the so-called opposition websites and Reuters have reported about the 'release of Bekele Jirata'. We are sure you have already read the news. What we would like to inform you, based on our sources close to the case, is that the federal prosecution office (the ministry of justice) is preparing its application for cassation against the bail order of the federal Supreme Court. As you know Bekele is charged of crimes of terrorism and the trial is already underway at the federal high court. Bekele has been charged along with other suspected terrorists.

When our courts make any sort of order such as releasing the accused on bail, or letting him/her free, all of the 'opposition' media outlets as well as their protagonists seem to applaud and recognize the legitimacy of our courts and the existence of rule of law. On the other hand, whenever our courts decide otherwise, i.e., in favor of the prosecution, they will be on their full gear of smear campaign and impute them 'kangaroo court'!

It is such double standard by western journalist who swears in the name of democracy the Ethiopian government is facing every day in its struggle to cement democratic order in the country. It is a pity that the opposition is not growing up. The opposition seems to digress by the day, they want to have the cake and eat it too. How hard can it be to learn a thing or two about the democratization process and help the process for the opposition? Democracy requires stable environment. Stable environment exists when people respect the rule of law.

 The case of Bekele is a case of crimes of terrorism, as such, the ministry of justice may have presented a compelling evidence to convince the judge that will be handling the cassation application. It would be interesting if the same media outlets and opposition websites will report the same way they have covered this news. Time will tell.