(Nairobi) – Ethiopia plunged into a human rights crisis in 2016, increasing restrictions on basic rights during a state of emergency and continuing a bloody crackdown against largely peaceful protesters, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2017. Expand Ethiopian security hold back demonstrators chanting slogans during Irreecha, the thanksgiving festival of the Oromo people, in Bishoftu town, Oromia region, Ethiopia, October 2, 2016. Many of those who were released reported that they were tortured in detention, a longstanding problem in Ethiopia. The government needs to restore basic rights and engage in meaningful dialogue instead of responding to criticism with more abuses.”In the 687-page World Report, its 27th edition, Human Rights Watch reviews human rights practices in more than 90 countries. In response, angry youth destroyed private and government property, particularly in the Oromia region.

Source: Ethiopian News January 12, 2017 15:19 UTC