(Some say have the cue to the clue)
A growing body of evidence has thrown light on the fact that for close to three decades Ethiopians had been sweltering under the yoke of tyranny masked by democracy.
The living standard of the majority was above the dead and below the living. It was sinking into economic morass every so often. Worse still, whenever people uttered a word of complaint with reference to the weaknesses of the regime and on ways forward, they ended up behind bars to be tortured and killed.
Hence, the general public was uncertain of unfolding over and over again. At a loss what to do, Ethiopians were bearing the brunt of coercion thinking that no matter how long the night, the day would come. They had been passing through thick and thin. The regime was constantly trumpeting its fake victory and turning a blind eye on objections related to human rights violations. But after the wind of change, the whole thing is setting on the right track.
Hidden prisons were exposed. As some to dos orchestrated by the diabolic rock the country here and there, some harbor doubt about yet unfound prison cells. The Ethiopian Herald was approached by informants. It as well had approached police commanders and lawyers with the question on what must be stances, works and ways forward? Lawyer Samuel Eshetu said, “When I watched television footage about Yonas Getachew and other victims, I could not believe my eyes.
He was making an effort to help his relatives and fellow citizens. As lawyers I and colleagues were not able to discharge our duties as it should be. Yonas was imprisoned on the claim of stoking anti-government protests and other fabricated stories. After the reform, the way how prisoners had been treated in the past had fully changed its shape and form.
The whole lot is proceeding under the framework of the rule of law.” He continued: “Judges are discharging their responsibilities abiding by the rule of law. They all follow the right procedures. Safe handling of prisoners is being manifested at this point in time. As a lawyer, I meet with different prisoners, but they do not complain much about the situation seeing that everything is heading in the right direction.
Human right violations are no more in prisons. The incumbent has designed the whole lot in a way which satisfies the general public. According to Tamirat Sisay, a resident of Addis active in volunteerism and community policing, the country is heading in the right direction. The premier is getting the country back in shape. He is doing a lot of fruitful activities across the country. Ethiopians feel as if a heavy load is off their back at this moment in time.
He went on to say the country must ward off complacence to sustain the ongoing reform. There are clues that show vestiges of hidden jails in the capital begging the probing eyes of concerned bodies. With a facelift there are many unreformed actors behind closed curtains. Boys are being molested and beaten constantly. “Though in vain, I have been trying to tip pertinent bodies about cells, here and there, in Addis that have not come to the media limelight.
Responsible bodies should give heeding ears and do investigation works to ascertain the veracity of tips. They have to give the benefit of the doubt. Related to our jobs, I and friends have the cue to the clue. It is possible to show all the hidden prisons to pertinent bodies. Likewise, the unreformed, who dance like a slain hen, could take advantage of the hidden prisons yet.
Most of them have been located in Tore Hailoche, Mexico, Ghion Hotel, Bole Michael church, Kassanches, Arat kilo, Total petroleum station, various guest houses, among others. The government is solely hot on the heels of irresponsible high-ranking government officials of the past. It should also comb out atavists at the lower level. The unreformed ones have not relinquished to pour cold water on the efforts of the government.
There is no effort the unreformed ones put on the backburner to hijack the reform, a bitter pill for them to swallow. Facts on the ground indicate that the old system serving in the government machinery must be overhauled in a little while. The government must focus on fully translating the reform into action. Butchers are still lurking at dark corners. Unknowingly or otherwise they are seen dispersed to various organizations.
Commander Sisay Wodaje for his part said, “The reform is surfacing all over the country at the speed of light. We are always standing by the side of our people. We are loyal to our people. We are busy in resorting peace across the capital in collaboration with youths and the community. More to the point, prisoners are well taken care of. They are treated based on the rules and regulations set by the government. There is no human rights violation. They are free to express their ideas, feelings and thoughts.
We listen to them attentively and discuss with them the dos and don’ts of the rule of law. We do not get off the track. They are in good hands. Above all we receive tips and give protection to tippers.” Relating to human rights violation, once, the premier said, “Ethiopia is in the avenue of transformation. In other words, there are strides Ethiopia desires to showcase particularly in human right violations. Ethiopians had fought hard to crystalize good governance as well as democracy on a national scale.
It is no secret that Ethiopians had been struggling hard with the purpose of brush aside the dictatorial regime and making justice certain. Though, bearing lacerating pain, the people of Ethiopia had waited long until the regime came up with good governance, the situation constantly kept on taking a turn from the bad to the worse.
Also the political landscape of the country kept on growing shrinking. We do not have to think about settling of scores. We should give emphasis to justice and judgment. In fact, we do not take this action out of vengeance and hatred but for the sake of buttressing the rule of law across the country.
We do need lawbreakers and possible emulators of them to learn from their errors and throw dictatorship to waste bin of history. In fact, meting out punitive measures on criminals is unavoidable whoever they may be and which ethnic groups they may hail from and wherever they seek refuge. We will mount a crackdown to get them before the court of law,” he added.
The Ethiopian Herald, January 13/2019
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
