At least 30 opposition figures, journalists and academicians currently serving in state custody for alleged involvement in anti-government activities have formally rejected a conditional pardon offered to them by the Ethiopian government, APA report on Thursday.
The detainees said they will not sign any document which will portray their political stance or human rights advocacy role as criminals.
The defendants turned down the state’s clemency offer following exploratory discussions facilitated between the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and federal government authorities.
The government has required them to explicitly admit responsibility for the ongoing political and security crisis in the country’s Amhara region, accept guilt for casualties, physical injuries, and extensive infrastructure damage valued at billions of birr.
The defendants also were required to formally acknowledge that Ethiopia must operate under traditional Amhara values—and that political opposition to these values constitute illegal acts. They were pushed and agreed to return unlawfully seized properties in the region as it is legally binding and non-criminal.
In a joint response, the detainees firmly rejected the proposed terms, describing the conditions as legally and morally unacceptable.
“We will not sign any statement affirming that we are not criminals, nor will we endorse anything that stands contrary to law, morality, or history,” the defendants stated in a collective response.
The detainees further defended their political stance, maintaining that self-defense and advocacy for public rights are constitutionally protected.
“We maintain that the grievances of the Amhara people are legitimate. The heritage and values of 60 million citizens cannot be categorized as a crime under any legal framework. We refuse to surrender our constitutionally and internationally protected rights to existence and self-defense,” they said.
The stance taken by the over 30 defendants comes amid prolonged security instability and military operations across the Amhara region where the government is losing public support from time to time.
MG/as/APA