Ethiopia's SNNP Pardons over 3,000 Prisoners.By Tesfa-alem Teckle September 27, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA Addis Ababa (ăd`ĭs ăb`əbə) [Amharic,=new flower], city (1994 pop. 2,112,737), capital of Ethiopia. It is situated at c.8,000 ft (2,440 m) on a well-watered plateau surrounded by hills and mountains. ) -- Ethiopia's Southern Nations and Nationalists and Peoples state (SNNP) on Sunday releases 3,535 prisoners from various detention centers of the region, in connection with 'Meskel', a religious holiday. In a statement, SNNP regional president, Shiferaw Shugute said that the prisoners were set free based on conditions set on Federal and regional constitution. Prison term reduction is also granted to 13 prisoners. The prisoners were pardoned based on the deep regret they showed, the good behavior Orderly and lawful action; conduct that is deemed proper for a peaceful and law-abiding individual. The definition of good behavior depends upon how the phrase is used. they displayed while in prison and also considering their length of stay and old ages. They have all served at least half of their prison terms. But the amnesty grant does not include to those who are jailed on rape, murder or other serious crimes. Shiferaw called on the freed prisoners to learn from past mistakes and to take part actively in the economic and developmental endeavors of the country and be exemplary citizens Two weeks ago, Ethiopia's regional states of Oromiya and Amhara, in a similar move, freed 9,612 prisoners, including 391 women on amnesty in connection with the New Year. Ethiopians are today celebrating Meskel, the finding of the true cross on which Jesus Christ Jesus Christ: see Jesus. Jesus Christ 40 days after Resurrection, ascended into heaven. [N.T.: Acts 1:1–11] See : Ascension Jesus Christ kind to the poor, forgiving to the sinful. [N.T. was crucified. Late Yesterday, tens of thousands of Ethiopians including government officials, ambassadors and diplomatic corps gather at the capital's Maskal Square to celebrate, Demera, eve of the founding of the true cross. A grand bonfire was lit by the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church Ethiopian Orthodox church Independent Christian patriarchate in Ethiopia. Traditionally thought to have been founded by the preaching of the apostle Matthew or the eunuch of the Acts of the Apostles, the church was established in the 4th century by St. , Abune Paulos Abune Paulos (born Gebre Medhin Wolde Yohannes 1935) is Abuna and Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (1992 - ). His full title is "His Holiness Abune Paulos, Fifth Patriarch and Catholicos (re-ese Liqane Papasat) of Ethiopia, Ichege of the See of St. . Meskel, in the Ethiopian Orthodox church, is an annual religious holiday commemorating the discovery of the True Cross by Queen Eleni (Saint Helena Saint Helena (həlē`nə), island, 47 sq mi (122 sq km), in the S Atlantic Ocean, 1,200 mi (1,931 km) W of Africa. Together with the islands of Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, it comprises the British dependency of St. Helena (2005 est. pop. ) in the fourth century. Meskel occurs on 17 Meskerem in the Ethiopian calendar The Ethiopian calendar (Amharic: የኢትዮጵያ ዘመን አቆጣጠር ye'Ītyōṗṗyā zemen āḳoṭaṭer), also called the (27 September, Gregorian calendar Gregorian calendar Solar dating system now in general use. It was proclaimed in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII as a reform of the Julian calendar. By the Julian reckoning, the solar year comprised 365¹⁄₄ days. , or 28 September in leap years). "Meskel", means cross. The Meskel celebration includes the burning of a large bonfire, or Demera, based on the belief that Queen Eleni had a revelation in a dream. She was told that she shall make a bonfire and that the smoke would show her where the true cross was buried. Demera-procession takes place in the early evening the day before Meskel or on the day itself, according to local traditions. The firewood is decorated with daisies prior to the celebration. Afterwards, charcoal from the remains of the fire is collected and used by the faithful to mark their foreheads with the shape of a cross. (ST) Copyright 2003-2009 SudanTribune - All rights reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
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