Celebrities and the Laws

This article is written in response to Teddy Afro’s die-hard-fans demonstration. Should celebrities be immune to criminal prosecutions? In a modern and democratic society, who is above the law? The PM, the president, the supreme court Judges, the famous artist, the police, or the dead? Many laws either civil, criminal or case laws are defined to effect a desirable act of society. Some laws heavily rely on the Koran or the Bible while others on norms and beliefs. Some countries chose to mimic the laws of other countries and modified them to fit their cultural and religious values. No matter how laws are defined, there is a common understanding by the majority and that is “No one is above the law.” With this in mind, the motto “No one is above the law” works in a modern and democratic society. If we need our Ethiopia to move to this kind of society, what should we do? Should we uphold the motto or should we allow laws to be applied preferentially based on status in the society?

Don’t get me wrong. The first time I heard Teddy Afro sing, I was so amazed by his God given voice. Wow! What a voice! I love his voice so much that I listened to his songs almost every day. However, loving his song does not mean, he is a goddess and above the law. If some of us believe that public figures should be above the law, we are depriving due justice to the people who could not defend themselves. The person that was killed by the hit and run was a defenseless Ethiopian. Hence, he deserves due justice whether the crime is committed by Teddy or others. I believe every Ethiopian has an obligation to protect his/her right and the rights of others. Therefore, the defenseless has the right to due justice while the alleged criminal has the right to a fair trial. As citizens, we must support our protective services (police) when they do the right thing.

Knowing how controversial the case can be, our police deserves applaud for bringing Teddy Afro to justice for the alleged crime. Do you recall during the Derg era, the killing of our youth who were left on the street of Addis with blood tricking from their heads. At that time, victim families could not sue the killers as the killers were the law. Derg was the law. Member of the communist party were the law. They were above the law. They were the only celebrities. Do we want that kind of era; to deprive of justice to innocent victims because of someone’s celebrity status? If Teddy Afro is found guilty, I am sorry but he should pay the price for the crime. If our police fail to prosecute criminals, the result can be that victim families may take laws in their hands. Traditionally, in some of our culture, revenge was considered acceptable form for justice. I believe at that time, the system did not have enough resources to bring criminals to justice; therefore, victim’s families hunted the killer of their family members. In a modern and civilized society, citizens trust the police that the police will bring criminals to face justice for alleged crimes. The Ethiopian police have just done that. Crying that “Teddy is not guilty”, is not going to help him or the victim’s family. It is prudent to have Teddy Afro face justice and proven guilty/innocent.

Some of us observed justice failing to serve victims even in the modern and democratic society, the USA. The O J Simpson’s trial is one example. Regardless of the O J Simpson’s celebrity status, it was proven that he was not above the law except that his status granted him extraordinary attention. At the end, fame and money set him free, this is my personal opinion. Having said that Ethiopian celebrities should not be above the law and must face their days in court. I believe, if our police fail to execute their constitutional duties, our road to modernization and democracy will start to crumple.

Enforcing the law is the duty of the police and prosecutors. We must distinguish between law makers and enforcers. It is not up to the law makers (parliament) to enforce the law but the police and the prosecutors. The arrest of Teddy Afro is the result of the police relieving their duties granted in the Ethiopian the constitution.

I have no doubt that the police, the prosecutor, and the court will perform their constitutional duties diligently. However, I have the following burning questions that need to be answered.

1. If the crime was committed in November of 2006, why did the police take more than a year and half to bring Teddy Afro to justice?

2. Knowing how much he loves his country, knowing how much he contributed during the millennium, knowing his celebrity status, why did the court fail to grant him bail?

3. Teddy Afro has several die-hard-fans through out the world. It would be wise for the Ethiopian police to explain to the fans that Teddy will be treated fairly with respect and with some special attention, just like the defunct CUD leaders. Is this hard to do?

Die-hard-fans will shout their lungs out believing that he is not guilty, he is a political prisoner, or some even go beyond believe and say “Teddy for Prime Minister.” My point is not to demonize Teddy as I so dearly love his songs but to point to the fans that he is not above the law.

Just like the O J Simpson trial, may be this time, if time, capital, and resources permit, we should televise his trial. The advantages for doing so are:

1. To kill the rumors that the government is trying to get Teddy

2. To show the trial is fair and square

3. To discourage the anti-Ethiopian Diaspora fault finders from exploiting Teddy’s misfortune to their advantages

4. To show that it is not the government but the police that is fulfilling its duty by bringing alleged criminals to justice.

5. To discourage celebrities from committing or involving in criminal activities

6. To show that Ethiopian is no different from the rest of the world. Celebrities will be held accountable and responsible for any crimes committed that are punishable under the laws of the land.

7. To indicate that the poor and defenseless victims will be protected by the law of the land. They are no less Ethiopians than that of the celebrities. They may be poor but when it comes to justice they have as equal right as the riches and the famous.

Message to die-hard-fans, if the person that was killed was your brother, sister, mother, father, son, or daughter, and was left to die, how would you feel about the person who committed the crime? Would you say justice must be served? Who decides whether someone is innocent or guilty, a popularity vote or the court system?

It is my sincere hope that Teddy Afro will be found not guilty. Should he be found guilty, his artistic contributions and love of his country should out weight his crime and the sentence be reduced accordingly provided that he reasonably compensates the victim families.

No one should be above the law, even the dead.

Haile B. 04/26/08