The Rt Honourable Boris Johnson MP
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH

Date: 10^th November 2016

Dear Boris, 

I am writing to you with great concern regarding British father-of-three Andy Tsege, who has been detained on Ethiopia’s death row for over two years.

As you know, Andy was tried and sentenced to death in absentia in a trial which took place while he was living in London with his family. This trial was described by the US State Department as “lacking in basic elements of due process”^[i] and a form of “political retaliation”.^[ii]

In 2014 Andy was travelling through an international airport when the Ethiopian Government kidnapped and rendered him to Ethiopia. Since then he has been paraded on television, tortured, and refused private visits with consular representatives.

On Friday 28^th October, the FCO informed Andy’s partner Yemi that there has been an incident in the prison at which Andy is being unlawfully detained, and that Andy fears for his life. This was over a week ago and the FCO has not yet been able to establish contact with Andy to ensure his safety or wellbeing.

On Wednesday 2 November, FCO Minister Tobias Ellwood said in a written statement to MPs that the FCO had not seen Andy since August this year – an admission which appeared to contradict your recent claim that “regular consular access” was “now in place.”

In light of this situation, I urge you to reconsider your refusal to call for Ethiopia to return Andy to his home in the UK.

Focusing on securing Andy a lawyer seems doomed to failure given that both the Ethiopian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister have confirmed that “there is no appeal process” available , and that Andy has no legal avenue to appeal his in absentia death sentence.^[iii]

The FCO’s approach is further undermined by Ethiopia’s failure to deliver on a promise to your predecessor five months ago that Andy would be granted legal access.^[iv] This is exemplified by the fact that Ethiopian authorities have not yet provided Andy with a pen and paper with which to request legal advice.

I hope that the recent development in Andy’s situation will prompt a reassessment of the FCO’s position on this case. Given the urgency of the current situation, it is vital that the UK Government intervenes to secure Andy’s safety and reunite him with his family in the UK.   

Yours sincerely,