And now it has been announced that the Nobel Peace Prize goes to the prime minister of Ethiopia.
Here is our most recent sample letter, sent three days ago by Tilly, to our “ready-made human rights letters” list, and based on an Urgent Action from Amnesty International:
Dear Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
I’m deeply concerned about Firew Bekele, who, as you may know, was arrested by federal police on 17 August and charged under the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation.
It’s reported that he’s being pressured into admitting he wrote a book that criticises politicians and others, a charge Firew denies. I also understand that access to his lawyer and family has been hindered.
Please release Firew immediately and unconditionally as he is a prisoner of conscience. I also urge you to stop using the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation until it is revised in line with international human rights law.
Yours sincerely
We suggest to the people on our list that they vary the wording, perhaps using the extra information in the Urgent Action. One of my variations was to add that everyone has the right to criticize. No ons is above the law.
Giving the Peace Prize to heads of state has sometimes proved to be a mistake. Abiy Ahmed is certainly, so far, an improvement on his predecessors such as Mengistu Haile Mariam.
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