Hessen Germany, September 13, 2025 – The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP) has issued an urgent call for international and domestic action after dozens of political prisoners launched a hunger strike at Kilinto Prison, accusing the Ethiopian government of subjecting them to inhumane conditions and unlawful detention.
In a strongly worded statement, the opposition party condemned the government for what it described as “flagrant violations of the law of the land and international legal norms”. The hunger strike, which began on Ethiopia’s New Year’s Eve, is being held in protest of prolonged imprisonment without due process, neglect of medical needs, and systematic denial of basic rights.
Government Blamed for Prisoners’ Plight
The EPRP directly placed responsibility on Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration, stating that the government has “deliberately ignored the suffering of political prisoners, exposing them to conditions that now threaten their very survival.”
Among the more than 300 detainees nationwide, some of Ethiopia’s most recognized political figures and journalists are reportedly part of the hunger strike, including:
- H.E. Mr. Christian Tadele
- Mr. Yohannes Buayalew
- Mr. Taye Dendea
- Assoc. Professor Sisay Awgchew
- Journalists Dawit Begashaw, Sisay Gobezie, and Genet Asmamaw
- Dr. Wondwossen Assefa, Dr. Tewodros Hailemariam, Dr. Chanie Kebede, Dr. Kassa Teshager
- Merigeta Belay Adamu, and Ms. Meskerem Abera
EPRP warned that many prisoners are now “malnourished, emaciated, and battling untreated illnesses,” and accused the government of denying them adequate medical care. “Their lives are in grave danger due to the callous indifference of the authorities,” the party said.
Appeal for Immediate Action
The EPRP called on Ethiopian opposition parties, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, religious leaders, and international diplomats to exert maximum pressure on the Ethiopian government to release the hunger strikers and other political prisoners.
Their recommendations include:
- Visiting Kilinto Prison to witness the crisis firsthand.
- Direct engagement with government officials to demand immediate prisoner releases.
- Publicizing the issue internationally, including on social media, to build global awareness.
- Providing support to prisoners’ families, who are suffering both morally and materially.
International Community Urged to Intervene
The statement was also copied to several embassies in Addis Ababa—including those of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and Australia—as well as watchdogs such as Amnesty International and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
EPRP underscored that silence from the international community would amount to complicity:
“The Ethiopian government must be held accountable for these violations. Political prisoners should be released immediately before lives are lost.”
Background
Kilinto Prison has long been criticized for overcrowding, harsh conditions, and lack of medical facilities. Human rights organizations have repeatedly accused Ethiopian authorities of using detention to silence dissent, particularly targeting journalists, opposition leaders, and academics.