Labor Rights Now called again for the release of Meqcha Mengistu, a leader of the Ethiopian Teachers' Association (ETA) in Ethiopia.

    "We strongly urge the government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to immediately and unconditionally release Meqcha Mengistu, who was jailed in May 2007 as part of an effort to intimidate and harass the ETA teachers' union," said Don Stillman, president of Labor Rights Now.

    Stillman welcomed the release in December 2007 of three members of the Ethiopian Teachers' Association: Berhanu Aba-Debisa, Wolde Dana, and Wibit Legamo. They were freed on bail and face court proceedings early this year.

    "The time has come for the Ethiopian government to end its long and persistent repression of the teachers' union," Stillman said. "Meqcha Mengistu languishes in Addis Ababa Kality central prison and must be freed immediately."

    The Labor Rights Now president praised the work of Education International, a global union federation, and the National Union of Teachers in the United Kingdom among others for their hard work in support of the teachers' struggle in Ethiopia.

    "We're also concerned about the health and well-being of Tilahun Ayalew, who has been missing since May 28, 2007," Stillman said.