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, 2001

His Excellency Meles Zenawi
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's Office
PO Box 1031
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia



Your Excellency,


I am writing to you to express my concern about the detention, trial and imprisonment of Dr Taye Woldesemayat, who has been incarcerated in Addis Ababa Central Prison since August 1996.

Dr Taye received a fifteen year prison sentence last August after a lengthy trial where international standards of fairness appear to have been breached. In particularly, Dr Taye did not have confidential access to legal counsel, and the prosecution's case depended on confessions which defendants told the court were made under torture. The court has failed to investigate these allegations.

I appeal to you to investigate the allegations that the evidence presented by the prosecution was extracted under torture, and ensure that Dr Taye is granted a new trial. I also urge you to ask the court to consider granting Dr Taye release on bail, or at least house arrest, during the retrial.

Alternatively, may I suggest that you grant him an amnesty, or that the court reduce his sentence to time served so that he can regain his freedom forthwith.

Having lived many years abroad, Dr Taye is now a citizen of the world. My interest in him is none other than as a fellow human being. Dr Taye has contributed greatly to the lives of many people around the world, and we are all deeply concerned about him.

In the sincere hope that my requests meet with your favourable consideration, I remain, yours sincerely,