ON JULY 17, 2014, seven members of the Zone 9 blogging collective and three independent journalists were formally charged with terrorism offences and ‘Outrages against the Constitution’.

One of the bloggers has been charged in absentia, while the remaining nine have been in detention since their arrests on April 25 and 26, 2014.

Amnesty International considers the detained bloggers and journalists to be prisoners of conscience, imprisoned for peacefully exercising their freedom of expression without using or advocating violence or hatred.

They were arrested just days after Zone 9 announced that they were resuming their activities following months of harassment and intimidation.

We are calling for their immediate and unconditional release, and for the charges to be dropped against all of the accused.

The IS country team will be in contact shortly with a fuller strategy going forward and more materials on the case, but the opening of the trial on Monday, August 4 offers a key moment for action.

Solidarity actions as trial begins – Monday, August 4

Social media The trial is scheduled to begin on August 4, 2014 and we are encouraging sections and structures to organise solidarity actions on that day.

This case has generated a lot of attention online - such as this tweetathon organised by Global Voices. Given the tight timeframe, using social media to express solidarity with the jailed bloggers and journalists, share Amnesty International’s concerns about the case and to call for their immediate release would be ideal.

Suggested tweets:

Detained bloggers and journalists are #PrisonersofConscience - #FreeZone9Bloggers now! #Ethiopia http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR25/004/2014/en

#Ethiopia - drop charges against bloggers and journalists http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR25/004/2014/en #FreeZone9Bloggers #FreeTesfalem #FreeEdom #FreeAsmamaw

The main hashtag being used is: #FreeZone9Bloggers, and if space, you can also include #FreeTesfalem, #FreeEdom and #FreeAsmamaw.

For more information on the case, please see:

‘Ethiopia: Release prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally,’ Amnesty International public statement, 21 July 2014: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AFR25/004/2014/en

‘Ethiopia: Multiple arrests in major crackdown on government critics,’ Amnesty International press release, 26 April 2014: http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/ethiopia-multiple-arrests-major-crackdown-government-critics-2014-04-26

Names of the accused:

Members of the Zone 9 blogging collective: Befeqadu Hailu, Atnaf Berahane, Mahlet Fantahun, Zelalem Kiberet, Natnael Feleke, Abel Wabela and Soliana Shimeles (charged in absentia)

Journalists: Tesfalem Waldyes (freelance), Edom Kassaye (freelance) and Asmamaw Hailegeorgis (senior editor, Addis Guday)

Contacts:

For more information or to discuss messaging, please contact Rachel Nicholson, Campaigner – Horn of Africa on rachel.nicholson@amnesty.org and do let us know about any actions that you’ve taken.