February 26, 2007

Help free my father

Seventy-six year old retired geography professor and prominent human rights defender, Mesfin Woldemariam, is being detained under harsh conditions and suffers from pneumonia. He is being held in connection with demonstrations against alleged election fraud in Ethiopia. Join us on February 26 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern for an online discussion with his daughter to learn more about his case.

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin is a trained physician and public health advocate. An expert on Hiv/AIDS, she trains immigrant women in how to prevent AIDS and domestic violence. She lives near Boston with her husband and children.

Featured Guest: Dr. Meqdes Mesfin

From our featured guest: "Thank you for your efforts to free my father from prison in Ethiopia. My father, Mesfin Woldemariam, has long defended the human rights of the people of Ethiopia. His work with the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, an organization he formed in 1991, has often led to tensions with the Ethiopian government. In November 2005, his activities in support of greater political freedoms resulted in his arrest. He has been jailed for more than a year now, and he faces a possible death sentence if convicted. Amnesty International considers him and many of his detained colleagues to be prisoners of conscience.

I hope you’ll join me next Monday, February 26 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern for an online discussion on my father’s case, his continuing trial, and the human rights situation in Ethiopia. "

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Question Submitted by Zoe:

What are the conditions like in Professor Woldemariam's prison?

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

Hi Thanks for asking. The conditions are horrible. It is, I understand, a structure made of corrugated iron, therefore extremely hot or cold. It is extremely crowded. hundreds of people. The conditions are unsanitary.
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Question Submitted by william:

What is your father being detained for? What crime? Where can we contact him; or his captors?

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

You can find details about the reason for his imprisonment and the address of the officials at http://www.amnestyusa.org/action/special/woldemariam.html.

There is an action that you can take on his behalf.

Moreover, I am encouraging people to keep sending him greeting cards at Qaliti Prison,
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia

Thanks for the question
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Question Submitted by Holly:

what can someone like me do to help? (Letters, petitions)

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

In addition to the action and sending him greetings at Qaliti Prison, Addis Ababa Ethiopia, you can also modify as you see fit and join the 100,000 letters campaign.

I would also love for you to keep visiting www.qalitiqalkidan.org for updated information and strategies as well as www.mesfinwoldemariam.org for more information on my father.
Thank you
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Question Submitted by Emily:

Is there anything in addition to writing a letter that I can do?

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

Yes, please see previous questions. Thank you

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Question Submitted by Lamin:

Will you send me the correct postal address of the president of Ethiopia and possibly a suggested letter that I will mail repeatedly? If you think a card can reach your dad pease send me his address in prison. I have sent a lot of letters to prisoners of concise. I pray that your Dad and many others around the world be released. The struggle continues...Lamin

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

Thanks a lot.

As I mentioned there is an action on behalf of my father. YOu will find the Prime Minister's address there. If you were to write your own, I suggest you strongly recommend a peaceful resolution to the political stalemate as political competition and free expression of opinion as not criminal acts. In a non confrontational way it can be suggested that facilitation of dialogue would be useful for both the prisoners and the government in achieving a political solution to a political problem. Thanks
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Question Submitted by Cassandra:

Is Amnesty International the only organization that is providing assistance to free your father from the prison? Also, what political freedoms was your father trying to get for the people--what exactly was he aiming towards for the Ethiopian people?

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

Amnesty International along with several others are engaged in various efforts regarding the human rights crisis in Ethiopia.

My father is a long time human rights defender, who in 2004 along with like minded people founded Rainbow Ethiopia, Movement for Social Justice and Democracy, which later became a founding member of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) , a coalition of political parties who jointly fielded candidates for the first ever openly contested elections in Ethiopia. The vigorous campaign, the dramatic show of support for the CUD, beginning just a week before election day and the amazing turnout on election day, as delightful as they were to observe, ended up in the unleashing of such violence and retaliation against members and supporters of the CUD. Today, it is referred to as a "terrorist" organization while at the same time allegations of "terrorist activity" throughout the country, are used to justify the invasion of Somalia, and the crackdown against dissidents.
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Question Submitted by Kory:

Dr. Mesfin; Have You attempted to barter for Your Father's release ?. Have You contacted the press ?. I will be Praying for You and Your Family. Kory McFarland

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

I am not sure I understand the question. The situation is a stalemate. It is meant to silence and remove all kinds of dissent. The prisoners.. collectively, have been calling for a mediation long before they became prisoners. I know for a fact that they welcome that, and that they are not looking for retribution.

In fact, my father is confident that the Ethiopian people as a whole would be amenable to the idea of breaking this cycle of violence -- hence the support for such a sustained NON-VIOLENT movement, in the face of so many violations of human rights.

We all understand that dialogue is the way. I still haven't given up hope that the Prime Minister and other officials will one day decide to sit down with the prisoners, with or without mediators, and resolve this impasse. Force is only a temporary solution to anybody's problem.

I have not successfully contacted the press in the US, though other people in other countries have. Thank you for your kind words,
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Question Submitted by Ed Gibbs:

There are others that need to be freed. What action will be taken ?

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

Please visit http://addisvoice.com/news/Letter%20writing.htm and www.qalitiqalkidan.org. Also, the action at http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=goJTI0OvElH&b=953489&template=x.ascx&action=7425 for my father with the appropriate modification, contains a letter that can be used for this purpose.

I strongly believe that the fate of this group of prisoners detained on the same case, journalists, human rights defenders, other civil society leaders, and leaders, elected officials and founders of the CUD is tied together. So, any successful action on one will contribute to a collective result. However, I agree that there needs to be action for the group as well. These are not mutually exclusive. Thanks for asking an important question.
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Question Submitted by ivonne:

Please tell us how we can help, if there is anyway to give him humanitarian refuge here in the U.S. so he can get better and be strong to do the wonderful things he and you have done for the preservation of human dignity. God bless you infinitely.

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

Thanks the action, the letters that you and your friends can sign are a lot of help.

Also, if you keep checking www.qalitiqalkidan.org to stay abreast of developments, it would contribute to what we can do together. Thank you!

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Question Submitted by Marcell:

I would be more than happy to add my voice - please let me know how I can help. http://addisvoice.com/article/letterwriting.htm http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=goJTI0OvElH&b=953489&template=x.ascx&action=7425

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

http://addisvoice.com/article/letterwriting.htm

http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=goJTI0OvElH&b=953489&template=x.ascx&action=7425
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Question Submitted by Elda Barrett:

How do I join you online in the Discussion about helping to Free your Father Your Supporter Elda Barrett

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

http://www.amnestyusa.org/askamnesty/live/display.php?topic=78
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Question Submitted by Marian:

There is little I am able to do to help - but I can write letters, e-mail and regular. Would that help? If so, send names and addresses and what would be the best and most powerful thing to write to be effective. Is there anything to avoid that would be detrimental? My prayers for your family. Marian

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

Thank you Marian.

Please review the previous replies. I appreciate your concern. Every effort helps. This is a truly non violent movement and you are advocating for the unconditional release of advocates for peace and freedom. In that spirit, I am not worried about anything that would be detrimental as long as we assert our beliefs firmly but in a respectful manner.
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Question Submitted by zoe:

What can I do to help?

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

Hi

Please consider taking part in the action, and/or the one at http://addisvoice.com/article/letterwriting.htm. Moreover, please keep checking back at www.qalitiqalkidan.org. Thank you
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Question Submitted by workalemahu:

i support the relese of proffesor mesfin without condition

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

Thank you. Please consider taking part in the actions mentioned.
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Question Submitted by Andrew:

I've read that your father founded the Ethiopia Human Rights Council. Can you please describe what the council does? Have others associated with the Ethiopian Human Rights Council been detained?

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

The Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO), is the only independent, non-governmental human rights monitoring organization in Ethiopia. It has been around for over 15 years, and investigating, and documenting human rights abuses throughout the country. Moreover, it has been providing human rights education at the grass roots level in many parts of the country.
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Question Submitted by Allison:

Thank you so much for hosting this chat. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family every day. Can you tell us something about the contact (if any) your family has been able to make with your father and also what you know of the condition of his health?

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

Thank you very much.

All of the prisoners, other than those who periodically find themselves in solitary confinement, are allowed an hour with visitors on Saturday and on Sunday. The time is even shorter considering the long lines, and the crowds.. I get information on his wellbeing from those who have made that visit under gruelling physical conditions.

Although he has serious health concerns which have the potential for complications in his current living condition, he is doing fine as far as we know. I should say, all the prisoners are in great spirits.

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Question Submitted by Sarah:

Dr. Mesfin, Thank you for your time and for taking my question. Are there certain books you may be able to suggest to read more about your father and the efforts of his political associations and efforts beyond what links are mentioned above? Thank you kindly and my heart and thoughts are with you and your family, Sarah

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

There is another website.. makedictatorshiphistory.org. Unfortunately, all the good books have so far been written in Amharic only. Have you visited mesfinwoldemariam.org? There is too, HR568.org.

Moreover, you can find the CUD manifesto at http://www.addisvoice.com/resources/KINIJIT-MANIFESTO-English.pdf
I hope this is helpful
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Question Submitted by Kimmy:

Hi Meqdes, I'm here with the Clark Amnesty chapter. We will be beginning our meeting soon & if any one has questions I will post them. Here is one for now: After the postponement of the trial, who is the most relevant official to contact when writing letters? Thanks, Kimmy

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

Hi Kimmy

They simply postponed a decision on the ruling. I do not believe that the addressee should change as the decision would still be made by the Prime Minister. This is a politically motivated trial..
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Question Submitted by Laurel:

How is your father's health at this time? Is he receiving necessary medical care?

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

Thankfully, he doesn't need immediate care, but he has a neglected condition that does rquire attention. He is in great spirits though.
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Question Submitted by Swetha:

Do you believe that writing to our US representatives to take a stance on this issue would be beneficial in addiiton to writing to the Ethiopian government?

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

yes, absolutely, we want them to support the immediate and unconditional release of all the prisoners of conscience. For more, I suggest you refer to http://addisvoice.com/article/letterwriting.htm
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Question Submitted by Dana:

Is your father aware of Amnesty's campaign on his behalf? Does he believe it is helping him and others like him? How is your father's health? Does he receive in prison the medical treatment he needs?

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

I am not sure how safe it is to discuss such matters with the prisoners. I know he does believe that such efforts are what is required to address such human rights violations, and possible redress. He has worked closely with Amnesty international and other human rights organizations.
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Question Submitted by Frank:

The recent postponement of the trial was clearly disappointing but not unexpected. We have heard that it is scheduled to resume next month. Is there any indication that anything but another postponement will occur and can you comment on what possible outcomes of the trial may be?

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

I hope that that is not the case, although I have no reason to be hopeful. There is no other way to resolve this, but through mediation. There can't be a winner in such a large, political trial
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Question Submitted by Richard:

I would like to thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions. I think a personal element to letters add another level of compassion, and I was wondering if you could tell us something about your father that sparked him to become a human rights activist... what was his drive? Also, I was wondering if you have an e-mail so that we could stay in contact with you. Thank you so much.

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

he started out by researching famine in Ethiopia. Please see his website for more.. meqdes@aol.com is my email.
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Question Submitted by Andrew:

Dr. Mesfin, Some of the charges against your father and his co-defendants claimed that they had incited violence against the government. But didn’t a government-appointed commission established to look into this declare that there was no evidence to support the government’s charges? I remember reading that the head of that commission even had to flee Ethiopia out of fear of retribution from the authorities. How can the government keep going forward with the case if they have no evidence?

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

True. They have lots of amazing evidence. The trial is politically motivated. My question to all of us is Can we not see who is in charge of the courts. It is sad that no one in the world can be moved to action, it seems like sometimes. Forgive the frustration. There should be more outrage against such injustice
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Question Submitted by Kimmy:

Meqdes, When will the court resume discussion regarding your father's case? Thanks, Kimmy

Dr. Meqdes Mesfin answers:

March 5 is the date. The prosecution rested, and the judge has asked for redundant evidence.. not clear to me for what
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