The Ethiopian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release a human rights defender and his friend who were arrested and charged for advocating for a more autonomous capital – Addis Ababa, with self-governance similar to other regional states, and for โreceiving training from the Palestine Consulateโ in Ethiopia, said Amnesty International.
Henok Aklilu – a lawyer renowned for representing people accused of terrorism-related offences – was arrested at his office in Addis Ababa together with a friend, Michael Melak, with whom he intends to form an association of Addis-born Ethiopians.
The arrest of Henok and Michael highlight the difficulties human rights defenders continue to face despite the Ethiopian governmentโs stated commitment to open up space for dissenting voices.ย
The Ethiopian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release a human rights defender and his friend who were arrested and charged for advocating for a more autonomous capital – Addis Ababa, with self-governance similar to other regional states, and for โreceiving training from the Palestine Consulateโ in Ethiopia, said Amnesty International.
