Country Demographics:

• Population:  67.8 million
• Religions:  Muslim 45%-50%, Ethiopian Orthodox 40%, Animist 12%, Other 3%-8%
• Income Per Capita: $100.28 year/ $ 0.28 day
• Government Type:  Federal republic
  Chief of State:  President GIRMA Woldegiorgis (since October 2001)
  Head of Government: Prime Minister MELES Zenawi (since August 1995)

Legal Profession:

• Estimated number of lawyers in Ethiopia is 1,000
• Estimated number of believers involved in the legal profession is 60
• The local Christian group affiliated with Advocates International is the Ethiopian Christian Lawyers Fellowship (ECLF). It was founded nearly ten years ago and is currently under the leadership of Mr. NardosLemma. The group has a network of 30 active lawyers.

Major Activities of Christian Lawyers:

ECLF lawyers are involved in the following activities:

• Human rights education
• Prison outreach
• Legal advice for missionaries and non-governmental organizations
• Monthly fellowship meetings

Convocation Goals:

• The lawyers from ECLF are looking forward to the AI Global Convocation because it will provide them with an opportunity to meet fellow Christians from around the world, share experiences, and renew their commitment to being Christian lawyers.

Prayer Items:

• God’s mercy in helping Ethiopia and Eritrea avert hostile actions
• God’s help in removing the occasionally strict regulations the government places on the importation of Bibles
• Discontinuation of governmental discrimination towards religious minorities (allocating land for religious sites)

Contact Information:

• Nardos Lemma nardosl2000@yahoo.co.uk

ªEthiopia In Actionª

The Ethiopian Christian Lawyers Fellowship (ECLF) is working together with Evangelical Churches Fellowship and Prison Fellowship in providing instruction on the law to local administrators and church leaders.  With a Crisis Pregnancy Center, ECLF is campaigning for anti-abortion measures.  ECLF provides women with instruction on human rights and women's rights.  ECLF is also represented on the Great Commission Ministry’s National Council for religious freedom, which is stirring churches to participate in political, economic and social matters.