Ethiopia's prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, announced Wednesday the release of political prisoners and the closure of a notorious detention center in what he called an effort to "widen the democratic space for all." Ethiopia has been accused of human rights abuses, including using mass arrests to stifle opposition and torturing prisoners in Maekelawi, a detention center in the capital city of Addis Ababa. "Political prisoners that are facing prosecutions and are already under arrest will be released,'' Hailemariam said. "Three different regimes have used the facility and many citizens have paid sacrifices and have lived through hardship in the detention center. "The Ethiopian government's decision to close Maekelawi detention center and release political prisoners is an important first step but much more remains to be done," said Felix Horne, senior researcher in Ethiopia and Eritrea for Human Rights Watch, in an email to VOA.

Source: Ethiopian News January 03, 2018 14:35 UTC