Ethiopian Court's Conviction of Two Swedish Journalists

Mark C. Toner

Deputy Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC

 

The United States notes with concern an Ethiopian court’s recent conviction of two Swedish journalists on a terrorism-related charge, in which the verdict appears to equate reporting about terrorism with support for terrorism. The court also found the Swedish journalists guilty of entering Ethiopia illegally, which they had not disputed.

 

We recognize the authority of the judicial process in Ethiopia and respect the Ethiopian Government’s legitimate concerns about terrorism and the need to protect the country’s national security. However, as we have made clear in our ongoing human rights dialogue with the Ethiopian Government, a free press is an important element of democratic society.

 

We will continue to monitor the ongoing trials of journalists on terrorism-related charges, and will continue our dialogue with the Ethiopian Government on press freedoms.

Passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1990

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 27, 2011

The United States commends the swift passage of UN Security Council resolution 1990, which approves the mandate requested by Sudanese leaders to facilitate the deployment of up to 4200 Ethiopian peacekeepers to the Abyei region of Sudan.

Abyei has been a source of regional tension for many years, as the world witnessed last month when Sudanese Armed Forces forcibly took control of the region, resulting in widespread displacement and looting.

The approval of this force is a critical step in implementing the June 20 agreement signed by the parties, whereby the Sudanese Armed Forces will withdraw from the Abyei area along with any Sudan People's Liberation Army forces there. An Ethiopian brigade will deploy as the United Nations Interim Security Force to enforce this withdrawal and maintain security throughout the Abyei region.

We urge the Sudanese Government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement to make good on their commitments to withdraw forces from Abyei and use the talks facilitated by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel to reach mutual agreement on the future status of Abyei.

While the United States welcomes this Security Council resolution regarding Abyei, we remain deeply concerned about the on-going crisis in Southern Kordofan. Tens of thousands of people have been driven from their homes, and there are reports of very serious human rights abuses and violence targeting individuals based on their ethnicity and political affiliation. Also of concern is the troubling detention of Sudanese local staff members of the UN Mission in Sudan by Sudanese authorities last week as they were being evacuated from the airport in Kadugli. While two staff members have been released, five remain in the custody of Sudanese military officials. We call on the Sudanese Government to release them immediately and cease any harassment and intimidation of UN personnel in Southern Kordofan. We urge the parties to reach an immediate ceasefire and to provide aid workers with the unfettered access required to deliver humanitarian assistance to innocent civilians affected by the conflict.