Rather than release the Swedish journalists that it recently convicted of supporting terrorism after they were found following and documenting an Ogaden rebel group, Ethiopia's court delivered an 11 year sentence despite appeals from a range of human rights and freedom of media groups. Swedish diplomats appeared stunned, once again having been surprised that the Ethiopian regime first brought such charges, then dubiously convicted and now harshly sentenced the journalists - Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye. What is perhaps even more surprising is how little attention this case has received. Part of the problem is that Ethiopia has clamped down severe restrictions on the local and international press in the Ogaden, but generally throughout the country. However, Washington and many Euro-Atlantic democracies are in bed with the Ethiopian regime having employed it as a proxy to fight presumably radical-Islamic elements in Somalia. The Ethiopia regime is perhaps viewed as the lesser of evils; however has been recipient of significant monetary and military aid. More to the point, it has been largely overlooked, we think purposefully, in its human rights abuses against the media, international persons and most dramatically against its own population, particularly minorities. Read: - “Why Ogaden Isn’t in the News/” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/why-ogaden-isnt-in-the-news-is-the-wool-being-pulled-over-our-eyes-by-susan-sacirbey/33764 In this instance though Ethiopia's close relationship with some foreign companies and government officials may also be playing a yet not fully clear role. The two Swedish journalists were also in Ethiopia to investigate the non-transparent links and business interests of the Ethiopian Government, a Scandinavian oil company and the current Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt. Read: - "Carl Bildt's Role as Ethiopia Convicts swedish Journalists of Support for Terror" - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/carl-bildts-role-as-ethiopia-convicts-swedish-journalists-of-support-for-terror-by-ambassador-mo/43061. We await further reaction from UN institutions, including UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and UNESCO generally working to defend journalists and the freedom of the media. By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX More Film Reports: - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/war-crimes-justice