The Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice Party (EZEMA) and the Ethiopian Media Professionals Association are calling on the government to disclose the whereabouts and legal status of two journalists reportedly detained without due process, according to Addis Standard.Abdulsemed Mohammed, a journalist with Ahadu Radio, was allegedly abducted by unidentified armed individuals on August 11 in Addis Ababa. Four days later, it was confirmed he was in the custody of government security forces. Likewise, Yonatan Amare, a reporter with Reporter newspaper, was taken from his home in Sheger City on August 13 by masked men, and his whereabouts remain unknown.In a joint statement cited by Addis Standard, the two organizations condemned the detentions as unlawful and in violation of the Ethiopian constitution, which mandates that detained individuals must be presented before a court within 48 hours. Families who sought answers from police stations and federal authorities were reportedly told, “We don’t have them.”EZEMA warned that such practices reflect a pattern of extrajudicial actions that erode public trust and press freedom, and place the country’s stability at risk. The party criticized the government for claiming to provide transparency and truthful information to the public, while engaging in actions that suggest otherwise.The Ethiopian Media Professionals Association described the detentions as a dangerous trend. It stated that even if charges exist, journalists should be tried through legal channels—not held incommunicado. The association urged that the detained journalists be released immediately or brought before a court as required by law.Both groups are demanding that the government guarantee freedom of the press, respect due process, and put an end to arbitrary detentions, Addis Standard reported.
