Detained Ethiopian opposition leaders well treated

Nov 11, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — Leadership of opposition CUD and journalists who were arrested recently for inciting violence are in good hands with all their rights respected, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC), Prison Fellowship Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.

They said they were told that families of the detainees would be allowed to visit them as of Saturday.

Head of the office of the patriarch with EOC and archbishop of Dire Dawa diocese, Abune Esayas who visited the detainees told the official ENA that he talked to each executive member of CUD detained and learned that they faced no problems.

Asked about whether they were beaten, denied food or medical care service, the detainees confirmed they have not faced such problems and they are provided with food both from the prison and their respective family, he said.

Abune Esayas said one executive member of the CUD asked him why religious leaders should not make effort to bring peace between the government and the opposition.

Director of Prison Fellowship Ethiopia, pastor Daniel Gebreselassie said he first talked to detained journalists and they told him they are in good condition.

He said he learned from CUD leadership that they have faced no problem with regard to provision of food, lodging and medical care and they are receiving food both from prison and families.

Asked whether they were beaten and tortured at the prison, they replied they did not face any beating or torture, pastor Daniel said, adding Dr. Hailu Araya, however, complained of harassment during his arrest.

He said the detainees complained lack of adequate light to enable them to read books, adding that he talked to officials of the prison concerning this.

The officials said they did not fix light in the cells for fear that lighting the cells might expose the detainees to problems, adding that the cells would be lit as CUD executives played down the fear, the director said.

Commissioner of the Ethiopian Human Rights commission, Ambassador Kassa Gebrehiwot on his part said he along with the deputy commissioner visited executives of CUD and journalists and discovered that the detainees are in good hands.

Ambassador Kassa said “we were saddened hearing from outside but we were pleased when we observed the situation on the spot.”

Only one of the detainees complained of harassment during arrest, the commissioner said.

He said two women CUD executives who were detained are housed in a separate cell.

(ENA)