Ethiopia’s Oromiya pardons 4830 prisoners over New Year

By Tesfa-alem Tekle

September 11, 2008 (ADDIS ABABA) — The Oromiya regional state has granted full pardons to 4830 prisoners to mark the occasion of the New year celebrations.

In a statement the regional government issued on Wednesday, revising recommendation of the region’s pardon boards on September 10, on the eve of the nation’s new year of 2001, it has released a total of 4830 prisoners, among whom 219 are women.

The amnesty grant is part of the nation’s ongoing efforts to promote and strengthen the values of solidarity, assistance, forgiveness and national reconciliation.

The prisoners granted amnesties are told to have served at least half of their prison terms and they have approved better disciplinary improvements during their stay in prison. It was learned.

The Oromiya regional state president and former state ministry of defense, Aba Dula Gemeda conveying message called on the prisoners to learn from their past mistakes and be a productive citizens.

“Regretting your past mistakes you have to repay your society by actively taking part in the region’s and the nation’s developmental activities” He said.

According to the statement all the prisoners released, during their stay, have taken different technical and vocational trainings that will enable them to work and help themselves in the outside world.

This is not the first time for the horn of Africa’s nation to issue mass pardons at the New Year. Last year when Ethiopia was set mark the new year and third millennium federal and regional governments have pardoned over 20 thousand prisoners including opposition figures who were expecting at least life sentences for alleged crimes during post-election violence, which Ethiopia was hailed by international human right watch groups.

Despite food crises and drought Ethiopia on Thursday colorfully celebrated the turn in of the New Year 2001.

Ethiopia follows the Julian calendar instead of the most common Gregorian calendar.

(ST)