The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party alleges severe pressure and rights violations against political and identity-based detainees declining self-incriminating pardon agreements
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP) issued a formal statement on October 9, 2026, condemning severe pressure, forced isolation, and rights violations targeting political and identity-based detainees who refused to sign government pardon documents.
According to the party, numerous political figures, journalists, and community activists in various detention facilities face punitive measures—including transfers to undisclosed locations, poor sanitation conditions, and verbal threats—after declining to endorse self-incriminating pardon agreements offered ahead of the recent Ethiopian New Year. The EPRP also criticized government practices that selectively released certain co-defendants while maintaining the prolonged detention of others held under identical charges for over three years.
Demanding an immediate end to these alleged abuses, the party called for the unconditional release of individuals held without valid legal grounds, independent international investigations into detention facility conditions, and comprehensive legal protections for political actors, press personnel, and civic leaders.
Addressing public inquiries regarding the legal status of remaining detainees, Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Chief Commissioner Birhanu clarified that ongoing releases primarily involve the formal discontinuation of state charges rather than executive pardons. The Chief Commissioner noted that individuals remaining in custody were not subject to pardon procedures and had not been released due to the non-submission of formal requests required for charge terminations.
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