Kaliti Prison, one of Ethiopia’s largest correctional facilities, has come under intense scrutiny as reports of appalling living conditions and a rising number of inmate deaths surface. The facility, situated on the outskirts of the capital, Addis Ababa, has raised international concerns about the treatment of inmates and the state of human rights in the country.
Inmates within Kaliti Prison have been subjected to inhumane conditions, with overcrowded cells, limited access to sanitation, and inadequate medical care. Sources report that many prisoners are suffering from malnutrition, unsanitary environments, and a lack of basic necessities, leading to a deteriorating state of health.
The death toll among inmates has been steadily increasing, with alarming numbers succumbing to preventable illnesses and harsh living conditions. Concerns have been raised about the prison’s ability to provide adequate healthcare and access to clean water, exacerbating the dire situation.
Human rights organizations and advocacy groups have called on the Ethiopian government to address the crisis in Kaliti Prison urgently. They emphasize the importance of respecting the rights and dignity of all prisoners, regardless of their convictions.
The Ethiopian government has acknowledged the challenges facing its correctional system but has yet to implement comprehensive reforms to rectify the situation in Kaliti Prison. International pressure continues to mount, with calls for transparency, accountability, and immediate action to ensure the well-being of inmates.
As the world watches, the plight of inmates in Kaliti Prison serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform within the Ethiopian penal system and the protection of human rights for all individuals, even those behind bars.
Kaliti prison in Ethiopia is notorious for its dangerous and inhumane conditions. Located in East Africa, this correctional center is becoming increasingly infamous due to the plight of over 250 Nigerian inmates serving jail terms for various offenses. These individuals are subjected to deplorable conditions, leading some to lament that having a ‘green passport’ is akin to a license to death in Kaliti.
Often referred to as a maximum-security facility or a ‘gulag,’ is situated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It serves as the country’s primary correctional institution and is located 11 km south of central Addis Ababa, in Akaky Kaliti, the southernmost subcity of the nation’s capital.
According to statistics , inmates Terrible health services are major reasons why prisoners meet early deaths in Ethiopia prison . The international community watches with caution atrocities in Ethiopia prison .
Ethiopian prisons are grappling with a staggering health crisis, as revealed by the latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO). The report paints a grim picture of skyrocketing rates of tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and other contagious diseases within the correctional system.
The WHO’s findings indicate that Ethiopian prisons are experiencing a severe outbreak of tuberculosis, with infection rates far exceeding the national average. Overcrowded cells, inadequate ventilation, and limited access to medical care have created a breeding ground for the spread of TB among inmates. The lack of proper treatment and isolation facilities compounds the problem, endangering both inmates and prison staff.
Furthermore, the prevalence of HIV within Ethiopian prisons is alarmingly high. Inmates face a heightened risk of contracting and transmitting the virus due to factors such as unprotected sexual activity and the sharing of needles among drug users. The inadequate provision of HIV testing, prevention, and treatment services exacerbates the situation, posing a grave public health threat not only within the prison walls but also to the wider community upon inmates’ release.
Contagious diseases beyond TB and HIV, such as hepatitis and respiratory infections, are also on the rise within the prison population. Limited access to clean water, subpar sanitation conditions, and insufficient healthcare contribute to the rapid transmission of these illnesses.
Human rights organizations and health advocacy groups are calling for immediate action to address this crisis. They emphasize the urgent need to improve living conditions, provide comprehensive healthcare, and implement effective disease prevention and control measures within Ethiopian prisons.
The Ethiopian government is under increasing pressure to tackle the dire health situation in its correctional facilities. International organizations and concerned parties are urging transparency, accountability, and collaboration with health experts to curb the spread of these deadly diseases and protect the rights and well-being of inmates.
As the world watches, the health crisis in Ethiopian prisons underscores the pressing need for reform within the penal system, not only to safeguard the lives of inmates but also to mitigate the public health risks posed by these alarming rates of tuberculosis, HIV, and contagious diseases.
Ethiopia experiences a triple burden of disease mainly attributed to communicable infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies, NCD and traffic accident. Shortage and high turnover of human resource and inadequacy of essential drugs and supplies have also contributed to the burden
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates diabetes prevalence among adults at 3.39% in Ethiopia. A study in Addis Ababa has reported diabetes prevalence rates of 6.5% and in a recent survey from Gondar the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among adults aged 35 years and above was 5.1% for urban and 2.1% for rural dwellers. Hypertension is also increasing at frightening rates with prevalence rates of 19 to 30% reported in Addis Ababa,28% in Gondar and 13% in Jimma.
HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia stood at 1.1% in 2014, a dramatic decrease from 4.5% 15 years ago.[citation needed] The most affected are poor communities and women, due to lack of health education, empowerment, awareness and lack of social well-being. The government of Ethiopia and many international organizations like World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations, are launching campaigns and are working aggressively to improve Ethiopia’s health conditions and promote health awareness on AIDS and other communicable diseases.
According to international news reports, Ethiopia’s prisons are currently grappling with four major outbreaks: cholera, measles, malaria, and dengue. The response to these disease outbreaks is hampered by limited access to health services, medical supplies, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services, and trained healthcare workers, creating significant gaps in addressing the public health crisis in the country.
Inside Kaliti prison, reports indicate that inmates are mixed together without regard for their health status. Sick prisoners are being kept in the same cells and correctional facilities as those who are not ill. This practice, as Emeka points out, has tragically claimed the life of Uchenna, a Nigerian of Igbo descent, who succumbed to contamination while incarcerated.
Furthermore, reports highlight the dire situation of several Nigerians who find themselves in Kaliti prison without clear sentences or legal recourse. “We are not respected because we are Nigerians,” states Nnameka, a Nigerian inmate who alleges that he was brought to Kaliti prison from a transit facility on suspicion of involvement in a drug gang.
Unlike Nígerian inmates dying in the prison , a significant international effort is ongoing, the Brazilian government, along with several other Latin American nations, has embarked on a mission to repatriate their citizens who are incarcerated in Ethiopian prisons. The initiative seeks to transfer these inmates back to their home countries, allowing them to serve the remainder of their jail terms in familiar environments while addressing concerns over their well-being and rehabilitation.
Brazil, in collaboration with countries such as Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, and Peru, is working closely with Ethiopian authorities to facilitate the safe return of its citizens. The decision to repatriate inmates stems from concerns over the dire living conditions and health risks faced by prisoners in Ethiopian correctional facilities.
Reports have highlighted issues such as overcrowding, inadequate access to healthcare, and the spread of contagious diseases within Ethiopian prisons. These conditions have raised alarms within the international community and prompted action to safeguard the rights and well-being of incarcerated citizens.
The repatriation process involves careful coordination between diplomatic channels, law enforcement agencies, and legal authorities in both Ethiopia and the respective Latin American nations. Each case is being individually reviewed to ensure that the inmates meet the necessary criteria for transfer.
The move is not only aimed at improving the living conditions of the inmates but also at promoting rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Authorities believe that serving sentences in their home countries may offer inmates better opportunities for support, education, and successful reintegration into their communities upon release.
This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of Brazil and other Latin American nations to uphold the rights of their citizens
