About 30 Amhara politicians, academics, journalists and rights advocates remain in custody after refusing to sign a guilty-plea document that other detainees accepted before Ethiopia’s New Year release, according to their lawyers and supporters.
More than 600 federal detainees were freed around September 10 after what the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission described as months of talks with the Government. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed presented the release as an outcome of the National Dialogue.
Those who stayed include politicians Yohannes Buayalew, Dr. Wondwossen Assefa, Dr. Sisay Awgichew and Dr. Tewodros Hailemariam, and journalists and rights workers including Michael Melake, Allelenge Mihrtetu, Meskerem Abera, Genet Asmamaw, Gobeze Sisay, Dawit Begashaw and Abay Zewdu, according to Borkena and an account published by Martin Plaut, drawing on reporting by Mintesinot Melaku.
According to that account, the document asked detainees to accept responsibility for deaths and destruction since the Amhara conflict intensified in March 2023, to apologize in writing, to renounce claims over disputed lands and to deny ongoing rights abuses in the region. The Ministry of Justice was described as saying those who refuse will stay in custody while their cases continue.
In August, the Committee to Protect Journalists reported a similar offer to five journalists held since 2023 on terrorism charges. Their lawyer, Solomon Gezahagn, said prison officials pressed them to write apology letters and promise to quit journalism. CPJ called the tactic blackmail.
Lawyers for the detainees argue the condition has no legal basis. Ermias Tilahun cited Article 229 of the Criminal Code, saying a pardon requires a final sentence, which these defendants do not have. Solomon said prosecutors can withdraw charges in the public interest without requiring a confession. The detainees have accused Chief Commissioner Berhanu Adelo of the rights commission of acting for the Government, and point to cases in other regions where charges were dropped unconditionally.
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