The Ealing Amnesty Group has recently declared that it has adopted Eskinder Nega as a focus for campaigning in 2017. This must be highly appreciated by the freedom and peace-loving citizens of the world. We hope other Groups also adopt other journalists, such as Journalist Temesgen Desalegn, whose health is currently seriously damaged in captivity in Zeway Prison.
On 27 Friday 2017, Ealing Amnesty Group held a successful vigil in front of 17th Princess Gate, London, from where the diplomatic mission of the jailers of Eskinder Nega currently operate in Britain.
Unlike the “Ethiopians-only” protesters who are normally managed by the presence of heavy Police Force, required to demonstrate across the Knightsbridge road in front of the Embassy, this vigil started at about 2:00 p.m inside the compound, which of course sent the Embassy staff to their uncomfortable state of mind. It is actually a good idea for the Police to allow holding vigils in the compound, as in the past, at times demonstrators spilled over to the main road and blocked the road causing serious traffic jams. The nervous Embassy staff called the police, who arrived at once, only to see few peaceful protesters quietly standing up with banners up, doing nothing violent or anything to worry about. The Police just looked at the peaceful demonstrators and left without any word.
Slowly a good number of Ethiopians started joining the vigil with flags and bigger Eskinder Nega’s picture, which read: “Journalism is not terrorism”. The organisers appreciated that picture, and started intermingling, conversing and sharing information about Eskinder and other prisoners of conscience. As the number started a bit swelling, again the nervous embassy staff called the Police. Two Policemen on motorcycles arrived to check out, only to find that the protesters were peacefully standing there holding up the banners that demanded the freedom of Eskinder Nega. They too disappeared without the roaring sound of their motorcycle on their way out.
Towards the end, one of the human rights advocates, Mr Zelealem Tessama took megaphone and addressed Amnesty International and the protesters how significant that vigil was for Serkalem Fasil, Eskinder’s wife and Nafkot son.
Eskinder was rearrested in June 2012, for the 7th time, and was sentenced to 18 years in prison for terrorism offences, after he criticised the Ethiopian brutal regime that stayed in power after losing election and called for freedom of expression in speeches in articles. Any criticism of the Ethiopian regime, dominated by the
Eskinder is a recipient of the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award, Golden Pen Award of Freedom and Amnesty International designated him a prisoner of conscience.
The vigil was concluded by one of the organisers, Ms Phillips, who thanks the vigil attendants and encouraged on networking in the future, working together and taking part on both Ethiopian and Amnesty International activities to secure the freedom of Eskinder Nega and other prisoners of conscience.
The vigil was peacefully dispersed at 4:00 p.m. with a vote of thanks to the Ealing Amnesty Group.
Source: ethioalert