Over the weekend the Ethiopian online community has been engaged on a lively discussion about imprisoned Derge official’s fate. The religious institutions in Ethiopia are trying to broker reconciliation between the criminal officials and their victims hoping such gesture will cause the government to release them.
The question left unanswered for many was that why such issue is an issue for the religious institutions today and why would the government release them? What will Ethiopia benefit from releasing criminals and convicts in a grand style?
Many agreed some of the Derge officials imprisoned may not have had direct hand in the killing field and could be released if the president of the country sees any need to do so. But who is lobbying the religious leaders and government officials to pay attention to these convicts. Are Derge officials convicted and in jail worth the country’s attention today given the many challenges we have? Would releasing them help politics in Ethiopia and if it does how so? Weren’t the Doctors of Kinjit, former Derge officials released recently? What did they do to promote democracy? How would releasing Derge officials will help our promising developmental politics? Have your say!
