#SetThemFree Campaign Updates

June 1, 2018
Network Update | News

Ukraine: The World Movement for Democracy expresses its solidarity with Oleg Sentsov, the Ukrainian filmmaker, activist, and political prisoner who has been on a hunger strike since May 14, 2018. Sentsov’s goal is to bring attention to the 64 Ukrainian political prisoners imprisoned by the Russian government and to mobilize the international community to pressure Russia for their release. Help by sharing our Democracy Alert.

Equatorial Guinea: Ramón Nsé Esono Ebalé, a political cartoonist previously imprisoned on false charges, was finally able to leave Equatorial Guinea on May 28, 2018. Esono Ebalé was arrested on September 16, 2017 on charges of counterfeiting local currency. After six months, he was released due to lack of evidence and pressure from the global #FreeNseRamon movement. However, he was under a travel ban and barred from leaving the country by the government. Learn more about his story and the #FreeNseRamon movement here.

Ethiopia: Ethiopia pardoned 745 political prisoners on May 26, 2018, ahead of prospective plans to reform “anti-terrorism” laws. Political parties met on May 30 to amend the vague laws which have largely been used to target human rights defenders, political opponents, and journalists for exercising their legitimate rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Learn more about Ethiopia’s political prisoners.