Press Statement

August 02, 2020

AHRE calls upon the Ethiopian government to conduct an independent and impartial investigation by a body composed of independent experts, Ethiopian Human Rights CSOs, and the Ethiopian Human Right Commissions, in to the atrocities, including the role of the security forces (Federal and Regional),

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Following the coming to power of Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopian government has undertaken remarkable reforms in the country. Most importantly, it has revised restrictive laws and widen up the space for freedom of speech and expression. This enabled individual citizens and Civil Societies Organizations to express their views freely and work with their full capacity.  Nevertheless, the government has been highly criticized for its failure to reign in armed groups and secure order across the country.  Hundreds of innocent individuals have been killed, many Ethiopians injured as a result of riots and violence targeting ethnic and religious minorities in various parts of the country.

As it has been admitted by the government itself and stated in its State Media on October 23, 2019 and the following days around 97 innocent individuals were killed and thousands displaced in Oromia region. The incident was triggered by an announcement by an activist and media owner Jawar Mohammed, stating that Government security forces had attempted to vacate his security guards. The government failed to take appropriate measures to investigate the atrocities, hold the perpetrators accountable and provide reparation for the victims, secure the safety and security of citizens living in the region. Such failure has allowed for similar violations to take place on a larger scale.

Different media outlets took advantage of the enabling environment and the absence of appropriate control, to preach hate among the different ethnic groups of the country. Most recently, following the shooting of a renowned Oromifa singer and activist Hachaallu Hundesaa in June 29, hundreds of innocent citizens living in Oromia region were killed, thousands lost their properties and displaced and tens of citizens living in Addis Ababa were killed. Reports indicated that an organized and large group of predominantly young people from the Oromo community killed members of ethnic minorities in the region and burned down hotels, schools, business centers and residential homes belonging to these ethnic minorities in the region, though the properties of Christian Oromos were also damaged. Many of the attackers were not from the areas, suggesting that transportation had been arranged to go from town to town.

It has been widely reported that the cruel and inhuman killings and destruction of properties including dwelling houses of innocent citizens are done based on ethnicity and religion. The murders of these ethnic minorities in the region were celebrated by attackers, with reports indicating that victims’ bodies were displayed in the streets. More than one thousand survivors were still displaced and no house to go back to; most fearful to do so; and sheltered in confined places –with greater exposure to Covid 19. 

The government fails to deploy security forces in time. Worse still, it has also been reported that, in some parts of the region local officials including the security forces participated in and facilitated the killings and destruction of properties of citizens. As a result, citizens in the region, particularly those ethnic groups which constitute minorities in Oromia region, have lost their trust on the local government and are feeling a high level of insecurity. Because, while the main role of government is providing protection, the officials there have resorted to attack them directly and indirectly. 

The government has promised to restore peace and order in the country and has reportedly claimed to take various measures including arresting thousands suspected for committing the above mentioned crimes against innocent citizens. However, in order to serve justice truly and ensure the fact that such kind of human rights violations will not reappear in the future and there by ensure the safety and security of citizens in the area the cases shall be investigated by an independent body. Otherwise, given the direct and indirect involvement of local officials in the attacks, deeply rooted sense of ethnicity and the fact that the attack was against those from other ethnic groups and Christian, real justice can never be served. 

Hence AHRE call upon:

The Ethiopian government (Federal and Regional):

1. To provide basic humanitarian assistance and protection for those who have lost their properties and exist in various religious institutions with higher risk of contracting COVID-19,
2. To conduct an independent and impartial investigation by a body composed of independent experts, Ethiopian Human Rights CSOs, and the Ethiopian Human Right Commissions, in to the atrocities, including the role of the security forces (Federal and Regional),
3. To ensure that the on-going investigations are conducted promptly and within the bounds of due process and those charged are brought to trial,
4. Prompt action to disband organizations that are not legally registered under the CSOs or political organizations’ law and use violence, extremism and hate speech to further their goals; identify and take appropriate legal action against their sources of finance,
5. To take measures on broadcasts which deliberately disseminating hate speech to encourage inter-ethnic hatred and violence,
6. Disarm armed opposition groups and paramilitary groups,
7. Develop and publish clear guidelines on the role and responsibilities of security forces (both federal and regions),
8. To serve justice for the victims and ensure safety and security of every citizen living in the region irrespective of any ground, 
9. To prevent the occurrence of human right violations, to investigate violations, to take appropriate action against the violators, and to afford remedies and reparation to victims.

• The International Community and Human Rights Organizations: To urge Ethiopian government to set up an independent inquiry body to inspect the gross human rights violations in Oromia region and also secure safety and security of citizens living in every corner of the country,   

Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE)

https://www.facebook.com/AHREthio.org/

https://twitter.com/ahrethio 
https://ahrethio.org/

AHRE asks the Ethiopian government to respect the constitutional rights of citizens for safety and information, especially during the spread of Corona Virus pandemic.

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The spread of Corona virus pandemic has gravely affected the everyday life of majority of the world’s population, the economy, and the political climate. We understand and stand in cooperation with appropriate measures government and health professionals are taking so as to minimize the spread of the virus and protect human lives.

Ethiopia is one of the many countries in the world to have confirmed cases of COVID19, with confirmed individuals being treated for the virus. The Ethiopian government is using all media and telecom services to raise awareness and prevent the spread of the virus, especially this past week. However, Ethiopian government has shut down internet and telecom services western Oromia region, where the military has been conducting operations against a rebel group.

AHRE strongly urges the government to lift these restrictions, especially now where citizens need information to protect themselves and their community. It is very hard if not impossible to fight the virus without regular and accurate information, and without proper communication with health professionals, media and other concerned bodies. Families living elsewhere also have the right to communicate and to know the health status of their loved ones.

AHRE urges the Ethiopian government not to put the lives of innocents at risk by restricting internet access and telephone lines. The government must be able to find a solution to the ongoing conflict through peaceful means. Citizens in that area should not continue to pay for the bitter conflicts through their lives. We ask the government to respect the constitutional rights of citizens for safety and information, not just during this pandemic where it is very critical, but also at all times. No human being should risk losing life due to lack of communication. Not availing communication means, including internet and telephone particularly during this pandemic hinders the attempt to contain it and endangers the communities under restriction and–due to the nature of the virus–beyond.

To Permanent Representatives of

Members and Observer States of the

UN Human Rights Council

Geneva,

19 November 2019.

Re: Addressing concern regarding Ethiopia’s escalating ethnic and religious violence.

The undersigned human rights groups and CSOs, Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE), consortium of 27 Ethiopian Civil Society Organization know with the name TIBIBIR and a group called ‘WE Are Ethiopia’ (WAE) wish to address your office and all concerned bodies expressing our grave concern regarding Ethiopia’s escalating ethnic and religious violence.

The country saw, according to government figure, the death of 86 individuals last October following a Facebook post by a controversial Oromo activist and media owner Jawar Mohammed on the 24^th of October. His post said that police had encircled his house and was trying to remove his security. This was followed by large scale protest across Oromia against the alleged police intervention. The protests quickly turned violent leading to the killings of 67 individuals, according to initial reports. Fifty-four were stoned to death and the remaining were killed from gun shot by police. 

The past week witnessed another round of violence, killings, rape, property destruction in different parts of the country, mainly in Oromia. The violence reemerged when 2 students were killed by mob in Weldia Universisty. This escalated to more violence in Jimma University, Dembi Dolo University, Ambo University, Bulu Hora University, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa University and Wollo University.  In all these universities, students are in fear of their lives, hundreds have left the university premises and have since then taken shelter in churches. In general, tensions and conflicts still remain. The most recent casualty was a student in Dire Dawa University who lost his life from “falling of a building”; this is the fifth student to have died after the incident in Weldia University. Furthermore, we have just learned that another student had reportedly died from similar kind of “accident” in Wello University this week.

The past week also saw burning of two churches by extremists in East and West Hararghe Zones. In addition, two other churches were attacked, Christian homes in different places of Hararghe Zone have been burned down, and unknown number of individuals were beaten and robbed.

AHRE has already released a statement on the 27 of October expressing its grave concerns of the very volatile situation the country has taken. That concern remains very high; violence and tension are soaring each passing day, and citizens are still assaulted, killed and displaced because of their religious and ethnic identities.

The signatories below cannot stress enough the high risk of full-blown civil war in Ethiopia. We urge the international community and all concerned bodies to act quickly and decisively. We urge your office to discuss these pressing concerns with the Ethiopian government; offer to provide all necessary assistance; offer to send your team to conduct independent investigation, and to curb the looming threat of civil war.

At this time and age, the world should not witness such catastrophe. The country and the horn of Africa region cannot afford a failed state. Recovering from such calamity would not be possible for a country of over 100 million citizens. We reiterate our call to urge your good office to use everything at your disposal to stop that from happening.

CC:

• Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
• Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons
• Special Rapporteur on minority issues
• Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
• Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences
• Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Killings

Signatories:

1. Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE): [email protected]
2. TIBIBIR (Consortium of 27 Ethiopian Civil Society Organization):  [email protected]
3. We Are Ethiopia (WAE): [email protected]