wfn.org | Ethiopian Nurse Released on Bail

[NEWS <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

April 21, 1999

ETHIOPIAN NURSE RELEASED ON BAIL
99-105-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA)   Zawditu Deressa, an Ethiopian nurse, was freed
from prison on bond April 19 after spending more than a year in prison
for allegedly providing medical treatment in 1996 to two patients who
may have been supporters of a party opposed to the Ethiopian government.
     Zawditu Deressa was one of three people ordered freed on bail by
an Ethiopian judge at a hearing April 15.  The others included a
physician, Dr. Gezaw Irena, and a nurse's aide, said Zawditu's sister,
Belletech Deressa, director for international development and disaster
response, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Division for
Global Mission, Chicago.
     "We couldn't even talk very much," said Belletech Deressa when she
spoke to her sister by telephone after her release. "We were both
crying."  Zawditu Deressa appears to be in good spirits and good health,
Belletech Deressa said.
     The prosecutor could not produce evidence to keep Zawditu Deressa
in prison, except that she may have provided medical treatment to
supporters of the opposition party, said Belletech Deressa. On that
basis, the judge could find no evidence of a crime and ordered Zawditu
freed on bail, Belletech said.
     Zawditu's release followed an extensive letter-writing campaign by
people throughout the ELCA and in other church denominations. Church
World Service, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
and Heifer Project International also helped communicate news of
Zawditu's plight, Belletech said.
     "I am sure the letters you sent to Ethiopian authorities
contributed to Zawditu's release as well as the release of her co-workers," Belletech Deressa said in a message to people following the
case. "They could have faced death sentences or years of imprisonment if
not for the vigorous letters written on their behalf by many Christian
sisters and brothers around the world."
     Zawditu "conveyed her deep appreciation" to everyone who spoke up
on her behalf, said Belletech following her phone conversation with her
sister.
     "The judge ordered that Zawditu continue to appear in court for
hearings," Belletech said.  "We are aware that it will take many years
for the court to make final decisions."
     Zawditu is the mother of six children and has served as a nurse in
a government hospital for 29 years.  It is not clear whether she will
return to work immediately, Belletech said.
     The letter-writing campaign to free Zawditu Deressa was directed
at Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia's Chief Justice Kemal
Bedri, Ambassador to the United States Berhane Gebre-Christos and
Minister of Justice Werede-Wold Wolde.  Letter writers were encouraged
to call for the unconditional and immediate release of prisoners who
have not advocated or used violence.
     Zawditu and her co-workers were among 65 people detained.  It
appears most of the others remain jailed, awaiting word on their fate
from the courts, Belletech said.
     There are four Deressa sisters, including Zawditu and Belletech;
Worknesh Deressa, who also works in the Division for Global Mission in
Chicago; and Addis Alem, a sister who is a refugee in Great Britain.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html