ADDIS ABABA — 450 Ethiopian nationals who had been released from Jizan prison in Saudi Arabia arrived at Addis Ababa on Monday where they were greeted by officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the prisoners were pardoned following series of successful negotiations with the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Moreover, while the Ministry is reportedly working to repatriate 1500 Ethiopians who had fled through risky migrant routes to Saudi Arabia, another 450 are also expected to be repatriated from the Kingdom this Friday.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs stated that the government has been combating human trafficking by creating awareness alongside setting policy frameworks to safeguard citizens from ill treatment.
Berhanu Abera, Overseas Employment Director with the Ministry, said that in order to combat illegal human trafficking the ministry has prepared independent proclamation, and employed new structures and task forces.
He noted that people who flee overseas illegally use different types of visa like tourist visa and trade visa, which exposes them to difficult and harsh situations, including death and inhumane treatment. As to him, although it is constitutionally guaranteed to move and workoverseas, citizens are expected to do it only the legal and safe way.
Besides, the Director continued to say, moving overseas is allowed only to countries that sign bilateral agreement with Ethiopia. He stressed that the government has been providing training in many training centers across the nation to reduce the problems that encounter the country’s citizens. Furthermore, the Ministry is also working to uphold awareness creation programs via training and the media, Berhanu indicated.
Finally, it was also learnt that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the view to ensuring the safety and well-being of the country’s citizens, has redoubled its efforts to reach out to its nationals who had been imprisoned in Jeddah as well.
Herald December 12/2018
BY TAMERU REGASA
