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| Eskinder Nega was arrested after publishing a column questioning the arrests of some journalists |
An
imprisoned Ethiopian journalist and blogger has been given a prestigious
freedom of expression award.
Eskinder
Nega was awarded the Pen America's "Freedom to Write" annual prize
for publishing articles critical of Ethiopia's human rights record.
His wife
Serkalem Fasil, who is a journalist and also spent time in jail, received the
award on his behalf.
In the past
decade, more journalists have fled Ethiopia than any other country, press
freedom groups say.
'Withering
conditions'
"I
accept this award on behalf of Eskinder Nega at a time when freedom of
expression and press freedom are at the lowest in Ethiopia," Ms Serkalem
said on Tuesday night in a ceremony in New York.
"If
Eskinder were standing here, he'd accept this award, not just as a personal
honour, but on behalf of all Ethiopian journalists who toil under withering
conditions today: Those who went into exile over the years… those in prison
with whom he now resides," she said.
Mr Eskinder
has been in Maekelawi prison in the capital, Addis Ababa, since his arrest in
September last year.
He was
found guilty in January under Ethiopia's anti-terrorism laws - which
criminalise commentary that is critical of the government - and could face the
death penalty when he is sentenced.
He had
published a column questioning the government's claim that a number of
journalists it had detained were suspected terrorists, and for criticising the
arrest of well-known Ethiopian actor and government critic Debebe Eshetu.
Mr Eskinder
is "that bravest and most admirable of writers, one who picked up his pen
to write things that he knew would surely put him at grave risk", said
Peter Godwin, president of the Pen American Center.
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| Serkalem Fasil, who accepted the award for her husband, gave birth to their son in jail |
"Yet
he did so nonetheless. And indeed he fell victim to exactly the measures he was
highlighting," Zimbabwean-born writer Mr Godwin added.
The Pen
award is given to writers who have been persecuted or imprisoned for exercising
the right to freedom of expression.
Mr Eskinder
opened his first newspaper in 1993, and has been detained at least seven times
by the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
He was
stripped of his licence to work as a journalist in 2005, but continued to write
for the US-based news forum EthioMedia, which is banned in Ethiopia.
He and his
wife Ms Serkalem were both jailed in 2005 for criticising the government's
violent crackdown of protests following disputed elections.
During
their 17 months in prison, Ms Fasil gave birth to their son.
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