Eskinder Nega is a Prisoner of Conscience, recipient of the 2012 PEN/American Center Freedom to Write/Barbara Goldsmith Award.
Nega is a prominent Ethiopian journalist and dissident blogger sentenced to 18 years in prison July 13, 2012 under the country’s Anti-Terrorism Proclamation of 2009.
Just prior to his detention, Eskinder had published an online column critical of the use of the terrorism law to silence dissent and calling for the Ethiopian government to respect freedom of expression and end torture in the country’s prisons. He and 23 other journalists and opposition politicians were found guilty on terrorism charges June 27.
You can read the latest news on Eskinder Nega on the frequently updated website FreeEskinderNega.com.
Below, the video of the 2012 PEN American Center Literary Gala in New York City on May 1, 2012.
