Dear Friends,

We are very pleased to inform you that Mesfin Woldemariam and 37 of his fellow prisoners of conscience have been freed on Thursday, July 20 although he still faces a possible prison term for an incitement charge that dates back to 2001.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to those of you who stood by us during the past 20 difficult months and did all you could to secure the release of our father and grand father. We are also deeply touched by the expression of support and messages of congratulation that we have received from many of you upon his release.

We are confident that you will continue to support the ideals he always stood and was detained for - respect for human life, liberty and the entrenchment of the rule of law. Your continued engagement in those respects may lead to the release of all prisoners of conscience in Ethiopia and extend to their loved ones the joy that we are currently experiencing.