Ethiopia: Political Prisoners

(asked on 2nd March 2021) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions the HM Ambassador to Ethiopia has had with the Government of Ethiopia on the wellbeing of political prisoners on hunger-strike in Ethiopia.


Answered by
James Duddridge Portrait
James Duddridge
This question was answered on 9th March 2021

The Foreign Secretary raised the importance of respect for human rights including political freedoms when he met with Prime Minister Abiy during his visit. We will continue to champion open and free political expression and respect of the fundamental human rights for all Ethiopians.

I [Minister Duddridge] note the recent announcement, by the prisoners’ defence lawyer, that Bekele Gerba, Jawar Mohammed and Hamza Borana have agreed to end their hunger strikes. Officials at our Embassy in Addis Ababa are engaging with Ethiopian officials on this issue and we will continue to monitor developments closely.

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