Opposition politicians, journalists and regime critics are subjected to systematic torture at a police station in Addis Ababa, according to a new report.
Torture methods used include blow to the body with hard objects and flogging. Prisoners are also hung from the ceiling in a very painful position.
Human Rights Watch report, presented today provides a detailed picture of the abuse that takes place in the country's infamous Federal Police Crime Investigation Sector. The police station, which is known under the name Maekelawi, located in the heart of the capital Addis Abbeba.
Several human rights activists have previously reported heinous aspects Maekelawi. This new report has been systematically set to work and interviewed 35 former inmates at Maekelawi and their family members.
- Kick me in the mouth with the boot
A former inmate still has scars from the torture.
- They kicked me in the mouth with his boot, and then I lost four teeth, he said.
Another describes how he was held in a painful position and then turned.
- They took off the shoes and my socks and put a stick behind my knees. Then they rolled me around and beat the soles of mine, he says.
Several describes being doused with ice-cold water and hung by his hands to the ceiling so that only the toes reach the floor. Human Rights Watch and other human rights organizations do not have access to the prison, but checking inmates' stories against each other for verification.
Political controlled judiciary
Ethiopia's ruling party - Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) - has ruled the country for over 20 years. Following the disputed elections in 2005, the government has turned hard down on opposition and dissent.
Anti-terror laws since 2009 have been used to imprison both journalists and dissidents.
While the human rights situation in the country has become more difficult in recent years, the country has had a stable economic growth for many years.
The country now deceased Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had good relations with Western leaders, including the Norwegian government. Ethiopia received in 2012 228 million in aid from Norway.
The latest report conditions at the police station in Addis Ababa stands in stark contrast to the descriptions of Ethiopia who lift millions out of poverty.Ethiopia's judicial system is not independent of the ruling party, which becomes especially clear in the treatment of political prisoners.
The torture has often intended to get prisoners to sign statements and false confessions. Among the prisoners who were asked to sign these papers were the Swedish journalists Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye who was imprisoned in the notorious prison in 2011.
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