Inquiry Board members visit arrested suspects in Bahr Dar City prison

Addis Ababa, September 5, 2023 (FBC) – Members of the Inquiry Board for the State of Emergency Implementation Proclamation visited the arrested suspects imprisoned in the Bahr Dar City Administration Prison Department.

It is stated that members of the Inquiry Board also observed the accommodation for the arrested suspects and held discussions with them.

After the visit, the Borad members called for the need to continue the encouraging handling of human rights of the arrested suspects as well as improve the gaps in the process.

The Chairman of the Board, Azmera Andemo, stated that they held a discussion with the arrested suspects and gathered information about the treatment and handling of human rights.

He pointed out that during the discussion they exchanged information on the arrested persons’ time before being transferred to the prison. The Chair of the Board also mentioned that they have highlighted the gaps that need to be filled in relation to the handling of human rights.

Azmera noted that during his visit, they observed that the arrested suspects are in a prison that has all the necessary accomodantion, such as bed, bathing, toilet and other necessary resources.

He pointed out that the Board will consult with the relevant stakeholders in order to improve the gaps that the arrested suspects asked to be fulfilled.

During the visit, he said that they saw the imprisoned suspects who need medical treatment were receiving medical services, disclosing the recommendations they suggested to the prison office in relation to improving the reported gaps, ENA’s report disclosed.

In a meeting with the members of the Inquiry Board, Lt. Gen. Berhanu Bekele, the Commander-in-Chief of the North-West Command and the Chairman of the Command Post, stated that the arrested suspects were under national defense forces and those who needed medical treatment have received the medical service before being transferred to the Bahr Dar prison.

Calling for the provison of other resources, including additional clothing, the Inquiry Board revealed that the human rights treatment of the arrested suspects under the state of emergency proclamation in Bahr Dar city is encouraging.