wfn.org | Lutherans Write Letters For Prisoner In Ethiopia

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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

November 12, 1998

LUTHERANS WRITE LETTERS FOR PRISONER IN ETHIOPIA
98-230-FI

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) are writing letters and postcards to officials of Ethiopia,
asking them to release Zawditu Deressa.  On April 3 the Ethiopian
government arrested Deressa, a nurse, for providing medical treatment in
1996 for two patients who may have been supporters of an opposition party.
     Deressa is scheduled to stand trial Jan. 4 in Addis Ababa, the
capital of Ethiopia in eastern Africa.  If found guilty, her sentence could
range from five years in prison to death.
     "Zawditu is a nurse by profession and a mother to six children," said
her sister, Belletech Deressa, director for development with the ELCA's
Division for Global Mission.  "She served her country as a nurse in a
government hospital for 29 years, and she does not deserve this."
     "Medical personnel must treat all sick people, even during war," said
Belletech Deressa.  "My sister may be killed by the Ethiopian government
for providing medical treatment to sick people who needed medical
attention."
     Belletech Deressa added, "Zawditu is the only family member who
decided not to leave the country, even during the Marxist regime. She
wanted to serve her people and her country."
     Zawditu Deressa has four children of her own; one resides in the
United States.  She also cares for three children of a sister who is a
refugee in England.  Zawditu Deressa's husband brings her food each day,
since the Ethiopian government does not feed prisoners.
     The letter-writing campaign is directed at Ethiopian Prime Minister
Meles Zenawi, as well as Ethiopia's Chief Justice Kemal Bedri, Ambassador
to the United States Berhane Gebre-Christos and Minister of Justice
Werede-Wold Wolde.
     The Rev. Russell J.A. Melby, an ELCA pastor and Iowa regional
director for Church World Service, Des Moines, Iowa, encouraged Lutherans
to "call for the immediate and unconditional release of prisoners of
conscience who have not advocated or used violence."
     Melby said Zawditu Deressa is one of 65 detainees.  "Request
assurance that trials will be fair and prompt in accordance with recognized
international standards which include the right for defendants to consult
in confidentiality with their lawyers," he said.

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Frank Imhoff, Assoc. Director (773) 380-2955 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html