(Freemuse) — Ethiopian authorities charged seven artists –
musicians and dancers – with terrorism in late June 2017 for producing and
uploading “inciting” political songs and videos, according to media reports.
Freemuse is concerned about the charges and the continued erosion of freedom of
expression in Ethiopia, especially of the Oromo people, the largest ethnic
group in the country.
Freemuse is also alarmed by the wide latitudes Ethiopian
authorities have taken during the recently lifted ten-month-long state of
emergency put in place in response to protests stemming from the government’s
plan, announced in 2014, to expand capital city Addis Ababa into farm lands in
the Oromia region, the country’s largest region and home to the Oromo people.
“What is happening in Ethiopia is not a spin off from the
recent protests and uprising, but rather is about a government clampdown on the
artistic community in general and of Oromo artists in particular. We call on
national authorities to drop the charges on the seven artists and protect all
peoples’ right to freedom of expression, including expressions critical of
governments,” Freemuse Executive Director Dr Srirak Plipat said.
The seven artists – Seenaa Solomon, Elias Kiflu, Gemechis
Abera, Oliyad Bekele, Ifa Gemechu, Tamiru Keneni and Moebul Misganu – were
arrested in December 2016 and held in Maekelawi Prison, which Global Voices
reports is notorious for its torture practices. Misganu had been arrested
before in 2014 in connection to student protests in Oromia and was released in
2016.
More recently, the BBC reported that Ethiopian police
stopped the formal launch of singer Tewodros Kassahun’s, who performs as Teddy
Afro, latest album without any official reason, preventing event organisers
from entering the venue and demanding a permit. His new album, released in May,
has become Ethiopia’s fastest selling album and topped Billboard’s world album
chart.
Additionally, his Ethiopian New Year’s Eve concert scheduled
for 11 September this year was cancelled for the third consecutive year,
according to non-profit Music in Africa Foundation.
Teddy Afro is no stranger to controversy as he first drew
negative attention from authorities in 2005 when he released his third album
which contained songs critical of the government that became anthems for
protest movements.
In 2008, he was imprisoned for a hit-and-run accident in a
case that he claims was politically motivated and was released in 2009, after
serving 18 months of a two-year sentence.
Freemuse has registered over the years several attacks and
forms of harassment on Oromo artists, including the imprisonment, beatings and
forced exile of artists, as well as the banning of music and shutdown of
studios.
Seenaa Solomoon in ‘Ramacii Rincice’ video/YouTube
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