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When Kefyalew Tefera was released from Kaliti prison in Ethiopia last month after 12 years in jail, he was in a wheelchair – with both legs missing, but with an immense sense of gratitude intact [19659002] his devoted visits, his love and care, and the words of encouragement that I would be free one day, "he said of his older sister, Weyinish and Derese. She was waiting at the federal prison of a suburb of Addis Ababa when Kefyalew and over 300 other detainees were released on June 15. They were among the thousands of prisoners released this year in the government's attempt to calm political dissent.
Kefyalew his early thirties, serves as an extreme symbol of the suffering inflicted in Ethiopian prisons. His release and that of other inmates are part of a wave of reforms – and, for some, growing hopes – in the Horn of Africa country.
Later, his left leg was cut above the knee. When gangrene infected her right leg, she was cut twice more – about 10 centimeters below her pelvis. A month after the shooting, Kefyalew was transferred to the infamous Maekelawi Detention Center and received a mattress on the floor of a crowded block of cells.
Kefyalew was charged with treason and planning an attack in Addis. He was also blamed for the deaths of the three friends killed by the security forces. He was stunned. Although he sometimes criticized the government's actions while he was in conversation with some academic friends, he had not joined any political party.
"I was a good student, I never missed clbades, but they kept asking us who sent us. "They tried to coerce a confessor by snatching Kefyalew from his wrists and pricking his wounds, or letting him go for the sport, or by subjecting him to" unspeakable barbarity, "he said. He was found guilty of the charges and sentenced to life imprisonment.
But in the midst of cruelty, Kefyalew found kindness. Other prisoners took him to the bathroom. , helped him with basic care and encouraged him.His sister, Weyinishet, alternated with parents of other prisoners to deliver communal food several times a week
The struggles continue
Although Kefyalew is no longer imprisoned, his struggles continue.
Nerve damage radiates pain through the left thigh. His prosthetic legs, made for someone else , do not fit properly and irritate the tissues. Medical treatment for various ailments, funded in part through modest donations from an online fundraising campaign.
The young man stays with his sister and husband in the capital. Their bedridden mother is still living in Oromia; their father, afflicted by the incarceration of Kefyalew, died in 2011.
Every morning, Weyinishet helps Kefyalew from his bed in his wheelchair, where he spends the day. He said that he hopes his health improves enough so that he can finish his university studies. But now he imagines a career outside of botany – he would like to create a kind of non-governmental organization.
Kefyalew does not expect a restitution for his 12 years in detention or for the permanent loss of his legs. He said that it would be sufficient compensation to avoid the kind of abuse he suffered.
"I hope we are going to build a system where people will no longer be confronted with extrajudicial sanctions."
Appeals for Assistance
Tekle d & # 39; Amnesty International contends that Kefyalew and other detainees deserve compensation. "Compensation is important to victims" of torture, he said. "Most of them still suffer psychologically. and they need the current government to take responsibility. "
HRW researcher Felix Horne told VOA:" I think it would be an important step to acknowledge the suffering of these victims.
He recommended that the government provide services to deal with the "physical and emotional scars" of inmate treatment.
Horne also observed that "there is simply no treatment available". According to him, political sensitivities could prevent existing organizations from helping former detainees.
"With all the discussions on reform, humanitarian organizations – different NGOs – have a unique opportunity to treat these people."
Carol Guensburg adapted this report, with contributions from Salem Solomon, Jalene Gemeda, and Tigist Geme. He is from the VOA Africa Horn Service.
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