Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia

Ethiopian government must protect citizens from ethnically targeted attacks

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Press Statement

17 September 2018

 

The Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE) condemns the violent and brutal attacks against innocent residents of Addis Ababa and the neighboring town of Burayu. On September 15, 2018, ethnic Oromo and Addis Ababa youths were involved in violent clashes over the choice of flags in different parts of the capital, including Piazza and Kuasmeda.

The Oromia Region Police Commissioner announced today that 23 people were killed during clashes since Friday. Federal Police also reported today that at least 600 people who were involved in the violence have been arrested. Police also confirmed that five more people were killed today, September 17 during clashes between security forces and protestors in Addis Ababa who were marching in protest of the killings and violence of the prior two days.

The clashes began on September 14, 2018 during preparations for the welcoming celebration for the delegation of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), an armed group based in Eritrea for more than 20 years. The OLF which until recently was on the government’s terrorist list, returned to Ethiopia as a result of negotiations undertaken by the new administration as part of the ongoing political reform taking place in the country. [Read more…]

Statement on the Federal Prosecutor’s decision to drop charges against 62 political prisoners

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Press Release

May 13, 2018

The Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE) warmly welcomes the news on the Federal prosecutor’s decision to drop all charges against 62 federal political prisoners. The list includes 26 inmates charged for allegedly setting Qilinto prison ablaze, including Dr Fikru Maru, a renowned cardiologist and humanitarian; and Masresha Sete, a former pilot of the FDRE defence force. We are confident that all 62 inmates will be released shortly without any altercation.

On February 2018, AHRE had published a report, with detailed accounts of gross human rights violations committed by prison authorities against the detainees charged for ostensibly burning Qilinto prison[1].

Furthermore, we are thrilled to observe Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s commitment to negotiate the release of over 2 thousand Ethiopians held prisoners, in Kenya and Sudan. We warmly acknowledge and commend the steps taken by the Prime Minister and his government in releasing political prisoners in and outside the country. [Read more…]

Ethiopia: Stop an Ethnic-based displacement and evictions

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Press Release

May 5, 2018

AHRE strongly condemns the continued displacement of Amhara people from their home in Kemashe Zone, Benishangul Gumuz region. According to our local sources, more than 530 ethnic Amhara households (each household has from 2-8 members) have been forcefully displaced from their land and forced to leave their home. We have received credible reports that local authorities ordered armed militias and other residents to attack Amhara people who settled in the area for many decades. The recent attack started in October 2017 and continued till end of April 2018. During the attack 13 ethnic Amhara people were killed and at least 50 others were injured. Thousands have fled to the neighboring Oromia region and to the capital of Amhara Region, Bahir Dar for shelter. AHRE has the names of the victims and official documents which show their legal status as residents in the region.

Ethiopia has failed to stop such an ethnic-targeted clashes, displacement and assaults that have been repeatedly observed in different parts of the country, including in Benshangul Gumuz. Forcible eviction of population by expulsion or other coercive acts from the area in which individuals reside lawfully is unlawful and prohibited under international law and Ethiopian constitution. Ethiopia’s ethnic based policy has largely contributed to the displacements and attacks which has cost the lives of thousands of Ethiopians for over two decades. [Read more…]