Detained Ethiopian opposition leaders on hunger strike – report
Dec 3, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — The lawyers for the opposition 21 CUD (Coalition for Unity and Democracy) leaders, currently in custody, have said that the arrested CUD members have been on a hunger strike for the past four days.
It was learnt that the strike was continuing yesterday, the Addis Ababa based Addis Adas reported on 3 December.
Some sources have said that Prof Mesfin Woldemariam, who since his arrest has been only taking fluids and no food, threatened to stop taking the fluids if he is transferred to the Kaliti prison [south of Addis Ababa].
The federal police, during the sitting of the Second Criminal Bench of the Federal High Court, stated that the CUD leadership participated in the (1 Sene) 8 June riots, and also coordinated, led and participated in activities aimed at dismantling the constitutional system by the use of force.
Defence lawyers told the court that their clients were in the fourth day of their hunger strike and were therefore unable to communicate with their clients.
It was learnt that Engineer Hail Shawl and Bed Adam are eating due to diabetic problems, while Prof Mesfin Woldemariam had not taken any food since his arrest and had been only taking pineapple juice and water. With exception of the arrested journalists, the CUD leaders have been on a hunger strike since Monday and are only taking water. It was found that the Red Cross Society has not visited them since their arrest.
In a petition, defence lawyers urged the court to respect the right of bail for their clients and told the court that their clients were suffering. The lawyers also urged the court to return documents and other things taken away from their clients’ houses. The police, on its part, said that the suspects had meet their lawyers and were not being prevented from doing so.
The federal police, which has completed its investigation and handed over its findings to the prosecutor, has asked the court to transfer the prisoners to Kaliti prison, saying that the Addis Ababa prison is only meant to keep prisoners for a short time and its budget is also not sufficient to sustain prisoners for longer periods.
However, it was not established whether or not the suspect have been transferred to Kaliti. Family members of the detainees said that since the visiting days are on Saturdays and Sundays, they will know today or tomorrow where their family members are.
(Addis Admas/BBCMS/ST)