Over 1000 killed in three weeks, group says

Over a thousand people were killed in the last three weeks alone since the declaration of the state of emergency in Ethiopia.

The Human Rights League of the Horn of Africa said in a report on Sunday that in addition to the killings, 40,000 Oromos have been detained in different parts of the country from October 8 – 30, 2016.

“Crimes against humanity in the Oromo nation have escalated after the State of Emergency was declared on October 8, 2016 by the TPLF. The Tigray People’s Liberation Front blocked all means of communication in order to hide the heinous crimes it perpetrated all over the Oromo and Amhara regions,” the League said in a report.

The report said the League could not confirm the estimate of dead as Internet and telephone lines have been shut down in areas hit by protests.
“HRLHA and other international human rights agencies such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have repeatedly reminded the International community to stop the vicious human rights abuses in Ethiopia. However, the world community has abstained from taking concrete action,” the statement said.

The group also called on the world community to act before it is too late. “The HRLHA again calls upon the international community to act collectively in a timely and decisive manner – through the UN Security Council and in accordance with the UN charter on a case-by – case basis to stop the Ethiopian government’s assaults on its own citizens before it is too late.”

“The International community has a responsibility to use appropriate diplomatic,humanitarian and other means to protect populations from crimes. If a State is manifestly failing to protect its population, the international community must be prepared to take collective action to protect populations,in accordance with the UN Charter,” the group said.