State Minister Dr. Markos Discuss with UN Delegation (December 02, 2019)

State Minister H.E. Dr. Markos Tekle today (December 02) exchanged views with a UN delegation led by H.E. David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

In the discussion co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Federal Attorney General, Dr. Gedion Timotiwos, the Deputy Attorney General of Ethiopia and his colleagues briefed the UN delegation on the status of freedom of expression in Ethiopia.

Highlighting the sweeping political and economic reforms that are underway in Ethiopia, Dr. Markos said a significant improvement has been witnessed in protecting the rights of freedom of expression in Ethiopia.

After Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s ascent to power, the State Minister said, the Ethiopian Government has released political prisoners and journalists, and the media landscape has expanded.

Mr. David Kaye expressed his satisfaction with the explanation presented by the Ethiopian side.

He said UN will support Ethiopia to keep on walking in the positive trajectory in further safeguarding its citizen’s right to freedom of expressions.

The UN delegation is expected to have discussions with high level Government bodies notably, the Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority, the Ministry of Peace, the House of People’s Representatives, the Federal Police Commission, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, the Attorney General and representatives of various civic institutions.