Comments on: Eskinder Nega Honored With Prestigious PEN Award

By: zeqala

zeqala — Sat, 05 May 2012 06:28:45 +0000

This is a very encouraging development. As we say where I grew up “What goes around comes around” Who knew this day would come? Well said by the Pen gentleman at the opening in the video. Freedom of expression is not only about the right to speak but it is also about the people’s right to know. The independent Ethiopian press fulfills the Ethiopian peoples right to know what’s going on.

By: London

London — Sat, 05 May 2012 04:59:16 +0000

Very touching!! Wow, what a beautiful and elegant woman! Eskinder will now be on the tongue and lips of journalists and broadcasters and more in the world that come in contact with Meles. He is the new face. As an Ethiopian, I am very proud of Serkalem and not only what she did for her husband but also her country.! You did us all good Serkalem!

By: Obaserver

Obaserver — Sat, 05 May 2012 00:46:44 +0000

I can only imagine how lonely and depressing it must be as human-being to be raising your child without the father only because of what???? I am so happy for her as Fairness means treating people equitably, without bias or partiality. It means actively working to set aside self interest or group loyalty when rendering a judgment. Being impartial doesn’t mean having no biases—rather it means knowing what those biases are, striving to set them aside. Some say that’s a foreign concept for Ethiopians that they blame media glorifying Eskinder. They are wrong because there is nothing foreign about fairness to Ethiopians. It is part and parcel of Ethiopian culture among various peoples across the land and our history and is full of great examples of events inspired by the ideal of justice, fairness is not sameness or always following the letter of the law in these cases. Fairness makes room for us to generate solutions and compromises based on reason and circumstance. Eskinder could not be a criminal if the system was fair.

By: A.C. Bankerovic

A.C. Bankerovic — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:28:42 +0000

Congratulations to Eskinder & Serkalem! for well deserved recognition & prize. PEN America also deserves to be praised for standing steadfastly with the courageous journalist who refused to be silent.

By: yonas

yonas — Fri, 04 May 2012 09:21:36 +0000

As they say, there is a strong woman behind every great man. Serkalem- you made every Ethiopian proud. You are Eskinder’s back bone, stay strong! God bless you!

By: Ellias Ma-tawkal

Ellias Ma-tawkal — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:11:29 +0000

Congadulation Eskinder and Serkalem-your small bleating voice engulfed the western world. Your suffering is not in vain. Folks in Washington DC be ready for the big party to celeberate this gala in our old fashion way.This is a victory for people who loved their beloved country (Ethiopia) passionately.

By: Mulumebet Lakew

Mulumebet Lakew — Thu, 03 May 2012 17:38:03 +0000

Congratulations Eskinder and Serkalem! You are an example to many young people! Very proud of you!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 03 May 2012 15:54:37 +0000

It was a splendid, festive occasion and what an honor it was to have met Serkalem Fasil. As I have told her, I hope to meet her husband Eskinder Nega out of jail in the near future! I have a daughter her age who is a journalist (like me) and married to another journalist (like me). So I know how it feels.

By: Selam mechachal

Selam mechachal — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:18:25 +0000

Never doubt that the truth and only the truth shall and will set us free! However tough, determined and formidable Meles & co may look in their actions of silencing the voice and denying the freedom of countless Ethiopians, I shall say to my fellow citizens, do not despair!for the era where we all will stand equally just as a citizen in that land of ours is not far. Never, Never doubt it people that there will come a time when we won’t be persecuted for speaking our mind or belonging to this or that tribe or challenging the status quo in that land we call እማማ ኢትዮጲያ!

ሀቅ ይሁን ሀይላችን ፤ እውነት ይሁን መከታችን።

Eskinder Nega and Serkalem Fasil, you have my greatest respect and love! God bless you!

By: iueae

iueae — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:40:44 +0000

US is insanely unjust! The US government is supporting the Meles brutal government which gave brevity for Meles to Kill the Ethiopian citizen. We don’t ask the American people to stop Meles’ brutality, which we are responsible to do it, but we plead you at least to stop supporting his regime.

To Eskender and his family – Ethiopians are proud of you and the recognition you get!!!

By: S.N.

S.N. — Thu, 03 May 2012 05:57:46 +0000

Eskinder & Serkalem: Congratulations for the well-deserved honor! Your unflinching commitment to truth, justice and the rule of law in Ethiopia is inspiring and much appreciated. Here’s hoping for a better day…

By: @dejiridoo

@dejiridoo — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:01:48 +0000

Really wonderful photos from the Gala last night. Thank you for sharing these powerful memories.