At the next Development Circle, Birtukan Midekssa will speak about the diminishing civic engagement and systematic narrowing of political space for civil society, the media, and political parties in Ethiopia due to legal restrictions after the elections of 2005. Ms. Midekssa is a leader of the pro-democracy opposition movement in Ethiopia. Hailed as the Aung San Suu Kyi of her country, she was sentenced to life in prison in 2005. After eighteen months she was released from prison and founded the Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJ). In 2008, she was arrested again and remained in prison for nearly two more years. Prior to entering politics, Ms. Midekssa served as a defense attorney and federal judge, rendering numerous court decisions in support of the rule of law and in defense of fundamental constitutional liberties.
Date:Weds, April 11, 2012
Time: 12:15-1:20pm
Place: 1203 Van Munching Hall
(Lunch will be served)
Hosted by International Development Council.
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