ADDIS ABABA, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, on Thursday urged the Ethiopian government to translate recent promises into action towards protecting the rights of citizens.
Hussein, who concluded his Ethiopia visit on Thursday, urged Ethiopia's new administration to keep the promises it has made towards ensuring freedom of its citizens, strengthening democratic institutions and address inequalities among Ethiopian societies.
"I heard clear expressions of optimism and hope that the new government, led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed would deliver on the heartening and inspiring speeches he has made during his first three weeks in office," Hussein said.
"We will continue to encourage, advice, and sometimes lean on the authorities to keep the positive momentum going and to keep translating the inspiring words in the Prime Minister's inaugural address into action," he added.
The newly elected prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, had previously said that there is a "need to address existing inequities that led to recent unrest..."
"Right of people to express opinions, rights of people to organize themselves and engage in effective dialogue and participate in the governance system is inherent in our humanity, not for any government to bestow as it sees fit," Ahmed had said.
Hussein, who met and discussed with some of the recently released Ethiopians, also welcomed the Ethiopian government's recent decision to release a large number of prisoners, including journalists, bloggers and opposition political figures.
During his stay in Ethiopia's largest Oromia regional state that has been the centre of mass anti-government demonstrations since the second half of 2016, Hussein also met with the regional authorities and the traditional leaders, the Aba Gadas.
According to Hussein, the traditional leaders "spoke of their hopes of working with the new government to resolve longstanding human rights issues in the region."