Brussels, 31/03/08:  After a long two years and five months in prison, the two Ethiopian anti-poverty campaigners Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie were released from prison Friday the 28 March.

Daniel and Netsanet were among the 131 journalists, politicians and civil society leaders detained on a range of charges, from genocide to treason, following the protests accusing the government of rigging the 15 May 2005 parliamentary elections.

“The release is a testament to Daniel and Netsanet’s contributions to human rights and poverty eradication in Ethiopia, Africa and around the world, and is a vindication of civil society efforts to confront injustice.” said Kumi Naidoo, Co-Chair of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP).

 

Click here to read the pressrelease