Ethiopia operational visit - Lakew arrested

In relation to the events that occurred in Ethiopia. When these events
first started to occur I tried to impress upon AACASA the essentialness
of not attempting to cover up what happened, as rumour's would
eventually get out. There is nothing more damaging than rumours when
simply telling the truth will satisfy most people. The extent of this
damage was evident a couple of weeks ago when there was quite a debate
at the joint central authorities meeting with some states wanting to
immediately suspend the program rather than give Lakew the presumption
of innocence. For those of you who are being told that the program is
still in doubt over this, then I believe this is extremely unlikely now,
though it could have happened at that meeting. We are lucky that at
least some Central Authority mangers fought to keep the program open. A
couple of weeks ago I tried to provide this information to our members
in AACASA however, I was not permitted to do so by the Executive who
have made a commitment to the Queensland Authority not to comment on
what has occurred unless it comes from them. I personally believe all
those interested in the Australian Adoption program have a right to this
information. I've been told that rumours have died down and there is
no further issue about it. But just because the matters are not being,
or perhaps not permitted to be addressed on the AACASA site, doesn't
mean that people are not asking questions and given the enquiries
I've had, I'd say people are still very much questioning what
has really gone on. Most of this is also being discussed now within
consultative groups in various states.

For the record, the latest release from the department claiming that
Lakew has not been charged is not technically correct. After being
arrested he was held for 12 days, then he was charged and then bailed
for child trafficking. It was only when he was charged and bailed and
after spending 12 days in jail did he come to understand what he was
being held for. The charges were quickly dropped once it was discovered
they had the wrong person. Our Australian Authorities have been advised
verbally from the Ethiopian authorities that Lakew is not involved in
these matters, but they want some sort of written advice from the
Ethiopian Authorities that Lakew is not involved. The likeliness of the
Ethiopian authorities stating in writing that they arrested and detained
the wrong person is unlikely. The following is what I wanted to post a
couple of weeks ago and I do so now so that the truth will be well known
and to help clear any shadow over Lakew who I personally owe. Ted
Sherrin (Tasmania)

The latest releases from the authorities does little to really put
people interested in the Australian Ethiopian program into a true
picture of what amounts to a great injustice. One in which if occurred
in Australia would give our Australian representative many legal
opportunities of regress, but as it has occurred in his homeland, has
given him very little avenue to be heard.

I believe it is necessary that everyone actually be informed as to the
facts of this matter and what has really occurred. I believe all will
then see that as far as the program is concerned it is a minor matter
and in fact the silence from the departments is the only real
contributor to further harmful rumours. However, to Lakew and his
family, they have been through a horrific experience that no one should
go through. It's just one more stressful and hurtful episode in
their long heart felt desire to simply unite orphaned children with
Australian parents. At the very least, they deserve to have the truth
made known as to what has really occurred, so that the damage to their
impeccable reputations can be repaired.

Early in 2004 a young sibling couple were adopted to `Austria'.
Note that I have said, `Austria' and not Australia. The adoption
was completed by an Austrian agent as is required. After a period of
time some problems developed in the adoption and it was revealed that
the two children were not siblings. In fact they didn't even know
each other. This situation later became widely reported in the Austrian
newspapers. The matter was taken up through the appropriate channels
with Ethiopia and the Ethiopian officials begun investigating. The
matter was being investigated as late as September/October when I was
there. Whilst I was aware of it, the matter had not a thing to do with
Australia, our program or with our Australian representatives.

A couple of months ago, the investigation took what I can only describe
as a sinister turn. Sinister because it reeks of being more than a case
of mistaken identity. Somehow investigators were advised that Lakew was
the agent for Austria. He was approached and when questioned he
confidently advised the officials that he was not the Austrian agent but
Australia's representative. This seemed to be ignored at the time.
It fact it was ignored for 12 days. He was questioned about an adoption
of a supposed sibling brother and sister in early 2004. Understandably
Lakew couldn't answer immediately which sibling couple were being
referred to and he advised that he would need to consult his files back
in his office. Someone suggested that if he was permitted to be released
he could interfere with the files and so he was detained. As is the way
in Africa, things are done slowly. It would be another 12 days before
Lakew was released on bail. A week later, the Austrian agent presented
himself, he was taken into custody and managed to secure bail just two
days later.

In Australia, a mistake like this is a serious one that would result in
someones job termination at best and hefty financial compensation to the
unfortunate victim. But this is Africa, and in Africa, saying sorry,
admitting to a mistake to an injustice is extremely rare. To date Lakew
has received no apology, no written confirmation that a mistake
occurred. As far as the authorities are aware, the matter is now closed
for both Lakew and the Austrian matter. Lakew had nothing to do with the
allegations and understandably he is still quite upset and angry that
such an injustice could occur to him and his reputation, without any
`official' correction occurring.

I believe that the hundreds of parents around Australia that owe Lakew
and Misrak their gratitude and support for the blessings of their
children, would want the assurance of knowing of Lakew's complete
innocence in these matters.