Ethiopia announces plan to release ‘all’ political prisoners


The Ethiopian government has announced plans to pardon and release all political prisoners in the country.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn after days of consultations within the ruling EPRDF coalition. He has also said that the notorious Maekelawi Prison will be closed and turned into a museum.


An independent task force has also been set up to investigate human rights abuses and the handling of prisoners. Ethiopia has faced more than two years of anti-government protests with demonstrators calling for political and economic reforms, which prompted a crackdown and thousands of arrests.


No comments