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Ethiopia says it will free all political prisoners
Source: The Guardian and agencies
Ethiopia says it will free all political prisoners
Prime minister announces effort to ‘widen democratic space’ following anti-government protests
Ruth Maclean in Dakar and agencies
Wed 3 Jan ‘18 17.33 GMT
Ethiopia’s prime minister has announced that political prisoners will be released and a prison camp notorious for torture closed, acknowledging for the first time that the country holds such prisoners.
Rights groups and activists welcomed the surprise promise by Hailemariam Desalegn to “widen the democratic space for all”, saying it could herald the end of a repressive, violent era for the country.
“Political prisoners that are facing prosecutions and are already under arrest will either have their cases annulled or be pardoned,” Desalegn said at a press conference. “And the notorious prison cell that was traditionally called Maekelawi will be closed down and turned into a museum.”
The announcement comes after a wave of protests against the government that began in November 2015. Hundreds of people have been killed and tens of thousands jailed, Ethiopia’s human rights commission said in April.
-snip-
Prime minister announces effort to ‘widen democratic space’ following anti-government protests
Ruth Maclean in Dakar and agencies
Wed 3 Jan ‘18 17.33 GMT
Ethiopia’s prime minister has announced that political prisoners will be released and a prison camp notorious for torture closed, acknowledging for the first time that the country holds such prisoners.
Rights groups and activists welcomed the surprise promise by Hailemariam Desalegn to “widen the democratic space for all”, saying it could herald the end of a repressive, violent era for the country.
“Political prisoners that are facing prosecutions and are already under arrest will either have their cases annulled or be pardoned,” Desalegn said at a press conference. “And the notorious prison cell that was traditionally called Maekelawi will be closed down and turned into a museum.”
The announcement comes after a wave of protests against the government that began in November 2015. Hundreds of people have been killed and tens of thousands jailed, Ethiopia’s human rights commission said in April.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/03/ethiopia-says-free-all-political-prisoners
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