Human rights violations and political instability in Ethiopia were the focus of a recent conference where speakers called for increased international attention and accountability. Sylvia Stanard, representing United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights, emphasized the universal nature of human rights and their systematic violation in Ethiopia, particularly regarding religious freedom.
Stanard noted that churches and priests are being targeted, with the right to life, liberty, security, and freedom of thought violated daily. She highlighted the challenge of raising awareness about Ethiopia's crisis amid other global conflicts and urged the diaspora and allies to educate policymakers and media. Stanard directed those seeking information about human rights education to https://www.humanrights.com.
Ato Yilkal Getnet, in his address "Ethnic Federalism and the Crisis in Ethiopia," argued that Ethiopia's constitutionally enshrined ethnic federalism prioritizes ethnic identity over national cohesion, leading to political fragmentation and social unrest. He stated that the Amhara people have suffered the most from political repression and harmful narratives.
Abel Gashe, an Ethiopian American organization leader, detailed mass killings targeting Orthodox Christians and Amharas, describing the situation as religious genocide. He reported that over fifty Orthodox Christians have been killed in the last two to three months in Arsie and Wollega, with churches burned and worshippers massacred. Gashe called on the Ethiopian government to defend citizens from such killings, emphasizing that protecting citizens should be its primary mission.
Mr. Scott Morgan, head of the International Religious Freedom's Africa Working Group, warned that Ethiopia's crisis risks being overshadowed by conflicts in Syria, Ukraine, and Gaza, as well as other African crises in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He stressed that the situation in Northern Ethiopia remains equally serious and deserves focused advocacy.
The conference, organized and emceed by Mr. Mesfin Mekonen, author of the Washington Update bulletin about Ethiopia's struggles, concluded with calls for the international community to increase attention to Ethiopia's human rights violations, advocate for dialogue, and support policies aligned with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to restore stability and justice.
