At least 81 killed in crackdowns on protests

Following the death of at least 81 people in violent crackdowns on Oromo protests in Ethiopia, the Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) sharply criticized the behavior of the Ethiopian government. In particular, the human rights organization criticized the disproportionate violence of the military and police forces against demonstrators, and the restrictions on civil rights. "If Ethiopia sees itself as democracy, then the population must have the opportunity to peacefully express their criticism without being shot," stated Ulrich Delius, the STP's Director, in Göttingen on Thursday. The disproportionate use of force in the crackdowns reminds us of the footage from 2016 and 2017, when hundreds of Oromo died under the fire of the security forces. “Ethiopia seems to be falling back into dictatorship – and it is fatal that the international community approves of this by remaining silent." Further, the STP criticized the arrest of several Oromo opposition politicians and activists, as well as the restrictions on the freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate. The STP emphasized the need for a comprehensive, independent investigation into the violent deaths, as those who are responsible must be held accountable.

Last night, the Oromia region chief of police, Bedassa Merdassa, had to admit that 78 civilians and three police officers have been killed since the murder of Oromo singer Hachalu Hundessa on Monday evening. "Once again, Ethiopia's security forces are guilty of excessive violence. As in the last years of the dictatorship, when hundreds of civilians were killed in demonstrations in 2016 and 2017, the behavior of the military and police forces is more than questionable," Delius criticized. "Why did so many civilians have to die? Why is it not possible to express criticism on the streets of Ethiopia without being shot? Why are the security forces unable or unwilling to pursue a de-escalation policy during demonstrations?" The Ethiopian government has no satisfactory answer to these questions. The international community should no longer remain silent, and mere admonition is not enough. The high number of civilian victims clearly shows that Ethiopia's security forces have violated the basic rules of democracy.