New York, November 12, 2003—The Ethiopian Free Press Journalists' Association (EFJA) has received a letter from the Justice Ministry, announcing that the organization is suspended, because of failure to comply with audit and licensing requirements.

EFJA president, Kifle Mulat, says the organization is being targeted for political reasons, but the government says EFJA has not complied with the law.

The Justice Ministry letter, dated November 9, ordered EFJA to stop all work except for "activity to audit the finance of the association." The Committee to Protect Journalists will continue to monitor developments.

Ethiopian law requires that civil organizations submit annual audit reports on their finances to the Justice Ministry.