#StopAmharaGenocide https://xitter.cf/t.co/wJv2g3MbnO
Joined September 2025
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TeferiF retweeted
US Ambassador #Ervin_Massinga warns against threats to civilian airports, yet allegations of their use for military transport by Ethiopia’s government remain unaddressed.
Consistent standards for all parties.
@UNHumanRights @StateDept @USEmbassyAddis @hrw @amnesty @SecRubio
👌👌👌💪💪
AMN ዜና፦ጥቅምት 9/2019፦ APF በጎንደር ተመታአርሲ | ወለጋና ጎጃም ምን ተፈጠረ? | ኢራን እስራኤልን አስ... youtu.be/jEmFibi0iQY?si=bPQO… via @YouTube
TeferiF retweeted
AMN ዜና፦ጥቅምት 9/2019፦ APF በጎንደር ተመታአርሲ | ወለጋና ጎጃም ምን ተፈጠረ? | ኢራን እስራኤልን አስ... youtu.be/jEmFibi0iQY?si=bPQO… via @YouTube
TeferiF retweeted
Dear Ambassador Massinga,
I recently read your interview in The Reporter about the situation in Ethiopia, and I was particularly struck by your statement that you are “happy to see a widening of the space for the international and domestic press.”
I appreciate that diplomacy requires tact, patience and careful judgment, especially in a country facing complex political and security challenges. Nevertheless, I hope you will forgive my asking how this encouraging assessment can be reconciled with some deeply troubling reports from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
According to CPJ's report of August 13, 2026, five Ethiopian journalists—Gobeze Sisay, Meskerem Abera, Genet Asmamaw, Dawit Begashaw and Abay Zewdu—have spent approximately three years in detention awaiting trial.
More concerning still, CPJ reported, citing their lawyer, Solomon Gezahagn, that prison officials pressured the journalists to admit involvement in an insurgency and sign apology letters in exchange for their release. The journalists reportedly refused, regarding the proposed statements as self-incriminating.
If convicted, they could face life imprisonment or the death penalty. Naturally, the charges must be assessed through fair legal proceedings, and the allegations concerning their treatment deserve independent investigation.
CPJ has also reported the detention and alleged assault of Addis Standard editor-in-chief Yonas Kedir, alongside a raid on the newsroom and the destruction of equipment.
Against this background, I find myself wondering whether we are witnessing two rather different understandings of press freedom. Perhaps the space for journalism is indeed widening in certain respects, but it must be difficult for journalists who have spent years in detention to appreciate this progress from their prison cells. One hopes that, eventually, they too will be able to experience some of this widening space.
I was also interested in your comparison with the United States during its Civil War. America's historical record of censorship, newspaper suppression and the arrest of editors is certainly relevant. Yet surely the lesson of that history is that governments must be scrutinized most carefully when they invoke national security to restrict civil liberties. History can help us understand why governments resort to such measures, but it should not become a convenient reason to overlook them when they occur elsewhere.
May I therefore ask whether you have raised the cases of these five journalists directly with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government? If so, what specific steps have you encouraged the authorities to take to ensure fair proceedings, protect the journalists' safety and address the concerns raised by CPJ?
I would also be interested to know what independently verifiable evidence supports your assessment that press freedom is widening in Ethiopia. Are there measurable improvements in the treatment of journalists, their access to conflict areas, the independence of media regulation or protection against arbitrary detention?
I fully appreciate that diplomacy often takes place behind closed doors, and I recognize the value of private engagement. However, while 90 percent of diplomacy may happen outside the public eye, the consequences of its success—or lack thereof—are often experienced very publicly by those whose rights are at stake. It would therefore be reassuring to know what tangible results this engagement is producing.
My questions are offered respectfully and in the spirit of constructive engagement. I do not underestimate the complexities of your responsibilities, nor do I suggest that every allegation should be accepted without investigation. But surely a commitment to press freedom must include a willingness to acknowledge serious reported abuses, even when doing so may complicate diplomatic relations.
Respectfully,
TeferiF retweeted
የኢትዮጵያ ሕዝባዊ ኃይሎች ትብብር ለሕልውና
(ትብብር ለሕልውና)
Ethiopian Peoples' Forces Alliance for Survival
(Alliance for Survival)
የአሜሪካ የውጭ ጉዳይ ሚኒስትር ማርኮ ሩቢዮ በኢትዮጵያ ስላለው ግጭት በሰጡት አስተያየት ላይ ትብብር ለሕልውና ያወጣው መግለጫ፡
እጅግ አብዛኛውን የኢትዮጵያ ሕዝብ የሚወክል ትብብር የሆነው ትብብር ለሕልውና፣ የአሜሪካ የውጭ ጉዳይ ሚኒስትር ክቡር ማርኮ ሩቢዮ በኢትዮጵያ ስላለው ወቅታዊ ግጭት ከሲ-ስፓን (C-SPAN) ጋር ባደረጉት ቃለ ምልልስ በሰጡት አሳዛኝ አስተያየት ቅሬታ ተሰምቶታል።
በዚህ ረገድ የሚከተሉትን ዋና ዋና ነጥቦች ግልጽ ማድረግ እንወዳለን፤
1. ትብብር ለሕልውና ለማካሄድ የተገደደባቸው ራስን የመከላከል ወታደራዊ እርምጃዎች ሀገራችንን የመከፋፈልና የመበታተን የገንጣይነት ዓላማ ያነገቡ ወይም በእንዲህ ዓይነት ዓላማ የተነሳሱ አይደሉም። እነዚህ እርምጃዎች የተወሰዱት፣ በፕሪቶሪያ ስምምነት መሠረት የተደረጉትን ጨምሮ ለሰላማዊ እርቅ የተደረጉ ቅን ጥረቶች ሁሉ በገዢው ሥርዓት ውድቅ ተደርገው ሙሉ በሙሉ ከተጣሉ በኋላ እንደ መጨረሻ አማራጭ ነው። ስለሆነም እንቅስቃሴዎቹን "ገንጣይ" ብሎ መፈረጅ በሕግ ረገድ ትክክል ያልሆነ፣ በፖለቲካ ረገድም ተገቢ ያልሆነ ነው። በእርግጥም የትብብሩ መሠረታዊ ዓላማ ሀገሪቱ ወደ መበታተን የምታደርገውን ቁልቁለት ለመግታት፣ ሰላምና መረጋጋትን ለማስፈን፣ እንዲሁም የሀገራችንን የወደፊት ዕጣ ፈንታ በሁሉም ዜጎቿ ፍላጎት ላይ ተመሥርቶ ለመቀየስ የሚያስችል አካታች ዴሞክራሲያዊ ሽግግር እውን ማድረግ ነው።
2. በተመሳሳይ፣ የተቃራኒውን ወገን ወታደራዊ ተቋማት ዒላማ ያደረጉ የተወሰኑ የትብብር ለሕልውና ወታደራዊ ዘመቻዎችን "ሽብርተኝነት" ብሎ መፈረጅ ተገቢነት የለውም፤ ምክንያቱም የተዛባ የእውነታ ምስል ያቀርባል። በእርግጥም ሥርዓቱ እጅግ የላቁ መሣሪያዎችን በወታደራዊ ዒላማዎች ላይ ብቻ ሳይሆን በእኛ ቁጥጥር ሥር በሚገኙ፣ ሕዝብ በብዛት በሚኖርባቸው የሲቪል አካባቢዎች ላይም በሰፊው እየተጠቀመ ይገኛል። ከዚህም በተጨማሪ ይህ ፍረጃ ሥርዓቱ የጦርነት አጀንዳውን ያለ ምንም ተጠያቂነት እንዲገፋበት የሚያደፋፍርና ለሰላማዊ መፍትሔ የሚደረጉ ጥረቶችን ሁሉ የሚዘጋ ብቻ ይሆናል።
ስለሆነም ትብብር ለሕልውና፣ አሜሪካ በኢትዮጵያ ዘላቂ ሰላም እንዲሰፍን አስተዋጽኦ ለማድረግ በአጠቃላይ ግጭቱ ላይ ሚዛናዊና ገንቢ አቋም እንድትከተል ጥሪ ያቀርባል።
[ማኅተም፡ የኢትዮጵያ ሕዝባዊ ኃይሎች ትብብር ለሕልውና]
ጥቅምት 8 ቀን 2019 ዓ.ም.
(October 18, 2026)
TeferiF retweeted
To my Sudanese brothers and sisters:
As an Ethiopian, I write with a profound sense of sadness and indignation. The mounting evidence of Ethiopia’s involvement in supporting the Janjaweed raises deeply disturbing questions about Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s subservience to the United Arab Emirates. I have previously described him as the UAE’s greatest scullion, seemingly willing to sacrifice Ethiopia’s sovereignty and dignity in service of his patrons in Abu Dhabi. No Ethiopian leader in living memory has so profoundly humiliated our country or risked transforming Africa’s oldest independent nation into a proxy for destructive foreign interests. I have repeatedly called him the sick man of the Horn of Africa, a leader whose premiership has become the epicenter of regional turmoil, terror, and carnage. To my Sudanese brothers and sisters, please know that this government does not represent the conscience of the Ethiopian people. We stand with you in solidarity, mourn your innocent dead, and pray for peace and justice for Sudan.
@UN_HRC
Third UAE-Backed Rapid Support Militia Drone Attack Hits Khartoum: Sources Reveal Ethiopian Launch Site, Corroborating Earlier Report of UAE-Flown Drone Operators
Khartoum, October 19, 2026
Eastern Khartoum came under a third wave of drone attacks on Monday, carried out by the UAE-backed Rapid Support Militia (Janjaweed), as the Sudanese capital faced repeated aerial assaults throughout the day. One of the attacks killed four civilians, including three children between the ages of two and six, when a drone struck a residential home in the Burri Imtidad Nasser neighborhood.
Reliable sources speaking to Sudanese Echo have revealed new information indicating that the latest attack was launched from inside Ethiopian territory, specifically from a location approximately 13 kilometers across the Ethiopian border, southeast of the Ethiopian town of Al-Biro. According to the sources, the location was used to launch drones targeting the Sudanese capital, raising serious concerns about the use of Ethiopian territory for cross-border military operations against Sudan.
The latest developments come just days after Sudanese Echo published an exclusive report, citing reliable sources, revealing that a group of foreign mercenaries had arrived at Asosa Airport in western Ethiopia aboard an aircraft from the United Arab Emirates, amid preparations for a large-scale drone offensive targeting Sudan's Blue Nile State.
The sources had indicated that preparations were underway to deploy a significant number of drones, with Saturday, October 17, 2026, reportedly designated as the planned start date for the offensive. The nationalities and number of mercenaries who arrived at the airport were not disclosed.
The newly reported launch location lends further significance to Sudanese Echo's earlier reporting on military preparations inside Ethiopia and raises questions about whether the scope of the planned operations has expanded beyond Blue Nile State to include the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. Sudanese Echo has not independently verified the precise launch location or established a direct operational connection between the reported mercenary arrivals and Monday's attacks.
The developments also follow a Reuters investigation published on February 10, 2026, which revealed the existence of a secret military training camp in Ethiopia's Benishangul-Gumuz region, where thousands of fighters were reportedly being trained for the Rapid Support Militia. Drawing on satellite imagery, security documents, and interviews with eight sources, including a senior Ethiopian government official, Reuters reported that the United Arab Emirates had financed the camp's construction and provided military trainers and logistical support.
According to an Ethiopian security document reviewed by the news agency, approximately 4,300 fighters were stationed at the facility in early January. The investigation also identified expansion work at Asosa Airport, including infrastructure associated with drone operations. The UAE has denied involvement in Sudan's war.
Separately, Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL), based at the Yale School of Public Health, documented military activity at an Ethiopian National Defense Forces base in Asosa in a series of reports published throughout 2026. Based on satellite imagery analysis, the laboratory assessed with high confidence that activity at the facility was consistent with military assistance to the Rapid Support Militia.
Yale's findings included military and logistical movements at the base, as well as the preparation and repainting of vehicles consistent with those operated by the militia in Sudan's Blue Nile State. In a report published on August 28, the laboratory also identified a brigade-sized military support buildup at the facility associated with activities supporting the militia.
The renewed attacks on Khartoum follow a series of drone strikes against civilians across Sudan, including an attack on a gathering of displaced people in Abu Shendi, Wad Al-Mahi locality, Blue Nile State, on October 9. That attack killed 41 civilians, including eight children and a large number of women. The United Nations condemned the attack and warned of the continued targeting of civilians and the worsening humanitarian situation.
The deaths of three young children in Khartoum on Monday have once again highlighted the devastating civilian toll of the militia's drone operations. Meanwhile, the latest information obtained by Sudanese Echo points to continued military preparations and activities linked to the Rapid Support Militia inside Ethiopian territory, raising concerns about further attacks on Sudanese cities and critical civilian infrastructure, including power stations, water supply facilities, and other essential public services.
#Sudan
#RSFisTerroristOrganization
#UAEKillsSudanesePeople
#UAESponsorsTerrorism
TeferiF retweeted
Dear Ethiopian and Eritrean diaspora members and friends:
In a free society, no one is above the law. Claims of possessing people’s Social Security numbers and driver’s license information, particularly amid allegations of harassment and intimidation, deserve investigation. I have successfully submitted my concerns to the FBI and am sharing the confirmation here; it took me about 10–15 minutes. If you have personally experienced harassment or have relevant evidence, please report your own account accurately. We follow the law. We document. We archive. We seek accountability through due process.
Submit an FBI tip: Official FBI Electronic Tip Form
tips.fbi.gov/home
PUBLIC STATEMENT: SOCIAL SECURITY INFORMATION & POTENTIAL INTIMIDATION
The audio has already been publicly shared. The accompanying transcript attributes to #Habtamu_Challa_Gurmu (@Habtishgreat) statements claiming possession of Social Security numbers, driver’s license information and residential addresses.
At 00:23, Dr. Chaltu asks, “How did you get the social security?” At 00:28, Elizabeth responds, “You pay... for information, yes.” According to the recording’s provider, Elizabeth has separately described herself publicly as a victim of Habtamu’s disclosure of her personal information. Her response is presented here as a general explanation of how information might be obtained, not an admission of involvement. In context, the exchange raises questions about whether #Habtamu_Challa_Gurmu purchased the information he claimed to possess; it does not establish that a purchase or unlawful access occurred.
The person discussed is identified by the recording’s provider as ሊባሕ (@1JUXA) / @1juxa; that identification has not been independently verified.
Against the reported background of repeated harassment affecting Ethiopian and Eritrean diaspora members in the United States, Canada and Western Europe, these statements warrant careful examination. A claim of possessing sensitive information can raise serious concerns about possible intimidation. The recording alone does not establish actual possession, unlawful acquisition, disclosure, fraud or a dark-web sale.
Affected individuals: please report your own experiences directly. Did someone claim to possess your identification information, disclose it, or use it to intimidate you? Preserve the original messages, recordings, dates and links. Ask investigators to determine whether information was purchased, accessed without authorization or misused. Witnesses, including participants in the conversation, may also have relevant evidence.
U.S. TELEPHONE REPORTING CONTACTS
• FBI Birmingham: 205-326-6166 — report suspected federal crimes or intimidation for assessment. Online: tips.fbi.gov.
• Social Security Office of the Inspector General: 1-800-269-0271 — report suspected Social Security-related fraud or misconduct. Online: oig.ssa.gov/report/.
• Federal Trade Commission: 1-877-438-4338 — identity theft assistance; reporting and recovery guidance are available at IdentityTheft.gov.
• Report local incidents to your police department. For immediate danger, call 911.
Please make a direct report if you have relevant evidence. Tagging an agency on X does not replace reporting. Do not publish anyone’s identification numbers or private address.
We request an independent review and appropriate protection for anyone affected. Speaker identities, the transcript and the underlying allegations remain subject to verification.
#Habtamu_Challa_Gurmu
@FBI @FBIBirmingham @TheSSAOIG @SocialSecurity @TheJusticeDept
#ሻለቃ_ዝናቡ_ልንገረው_የምእራብ_ግባር_ወታደራዊ_አዛዥ እና
አርበኛ ሸጋ ጌታቸው ....
የመይሳው ካሳ 2ኛ ኮር ወታደራዊ አመራሮች
አፋብን በቀጠና ታጥሮ የነበረውን የፋኖ አካሄድ አፍርሶ ሰራዊቱን ከቀጠና ቀጠና ጋር እያቀናጀ ወደፊት እየገሰገሰ ነው።
Ethiopia | October 18, 2026
The Alliance for Survival has issued a statement responding to Secretary Rubio's remarks on Ethiopia, disputing the terms “separatism” and “terrorism” and requesting balanced U.S. engagement.
@SecRubio @StateDept @HouseForeignGOP @ItamManis9
TeferiF retweeted
@AlabamaDHR @SteveMarshallAL @FBI @DHSgov @TheJusticeDept
HABTAMU GURMU CHALA, A REPORTEDLY SECURITY AFFILIATED ETHIOPIAN ACTIVIST RESIDING IN MADISON, ALABAMA, OPENLY DECLARES IN X SPACES THAT THE ETHIOPIAN GOVERNMENT DELIBERATELY STAGED EXPLOSIONS IN ADDIS ABABA TO FRAME ERITREA.
Habtamu Gurmu Chala (@Habtishgreat), a self-described Ethiopian government supporter reportedly residing in Alabama, makes an extraordinary assertion in a recorded X Spaces discussion concerning the reported October 1, 2026, explosions in Addis Ababa. Mr. Chala, whose alleged harassment of diaspora women and other individuals has previously raised serious concerns, appears to suggest that the Ethiopian government deliberately orchestrated explosions to implicate Eritrea. He also discusses alleged intelligence operations and predicts further explosions. Most remarkably, when another participant asks, “So it means the government is intentionally creating terror, Habtish?”, his answer is an unequivocal “Yes.” The exchange recalls historical allegations documented in leaked U.S. diplomatic cables concerning purported efforts by Ethiopian security authorities to attribute violent incidents to opposition groups, including the Oromo Liberation Front.
Any historical parallel, however, requires independent verification and does not establish a connection between those allegations and the present government. Given Mr. Chala's public political advocacy and reported associations, his statements warrant careful examination by journalists and appropriate authorities. I am attaching the relevant audio recording and bilingual transcript so that his precise words can be independently assessed. His assertions are not, by themselves, evidence that the Ethiopian government carried out the reported explosions.
#Habtamu_Gurmu_Chala
@FBI @FBIMobileAL @DHSgov @HSI_HQ @hawelti @StateDept @ATFHQ @SteveMarshallAL @GovernorKayIvey @AlabamaDHR @ALMentalHealth @UNHumanRights @UN_HRC @amnesty @hrw @Bloomberg @Reuters @BBCWorld @BBCBreaking @AP @AFP @AFPFactCheck @AJEnglish @CNN @CNNInternational @guardian @nytimes @washingtonpost @FT @TheEconomist @France24_en @dwnews @VOANews @RFI_En @SkyNews @CBSNews @NBCNews @ABC @PBS @ForeignPolicy @TheAfricaReport
@AmbStesfamariam
#Habtamu_Gurmu_Chala
🚫propaganda🚫
In historic Gondar, a city renowned for its extraordinary Ethiopian Orthodox heritage and sacred traditions, this spectacle raises troubling questions about political coercion and manufactured public consent. Reports that worshippers were rounded up after church services and compelled to participate deserve independent scrutiny. The enormous portrait of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the accompanying Red Sea slogans appear designed to mobilize Amhara sentiment around a geopolitical agenda, even as the region continues to suffer devastating conflict and destruction. The historical irony is profound: invoking national pride while communities endure war, displacement, and immense human suffering. Genuine popular legitimacy cannot be manufactured through choreographed demonstrations.
#Gondar and every Amhara remembers the devastation and savagery of the sixteenth century, etched indelibly into its historical memory. You cannot deceive a people who know their history. This generation of Amharas is wide awake.
@BBCAfrica
TeferiF retweeted
In historic Gondar, a city renowned for its extraordinary Ethiopian Orthodox heritage and sacred traditions, this spectacle raises troubling questions about political coercion and manufactured public consent. Reports that worshippers were rounded up after church services and compelled to participate deserve independent scrutiny. The enormous portrait of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the accompanying Red Sea slogans appear designed to mobilize Amhara sentiment around a geopolitical agenda, even as the region continues to suffer devastating conflict and destruction. The historical irony is profound: invoking national pride while communities endure war, displacement, and immense human suffering. Genuine popular legitimacy cannot be manufactured through choreographed demonstrations.
#Gondar and every Amhara remembers the devastation and savagery of the sixteenth century, etched indelibly into its historical memory. You cannot deceive a people who know their history. This generation of Amharas is wide awake.
@BBCAfrica
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TeferiF retweeted
Well, Mr. Chala, @Habtishgreat, at least you appear to have enjoyed a good night's sleep. No 6 a.m. performance today? 😂 Good to see you again! And there you go, predictably tagging @HOAAffairs. Your inability to resist mentioning me has become almost comical. But your latest post deserves more serious attention. You have publicly associated my account with allegations involving military infiltration, weapons, ammunition, and explosives. On what evidence do you associate me with these claims? Such serious allegations demand verifiable evidence, not insinuation. I will preserve this post alongside your other public statements in a digital archive for the record. Your earlier recorded remarks, apparently alleging that the Ethiopian government deliberately staged explosions in Addis Ababa, also deserve independent scrutiny. I intend to publish a further statement examining those remarks, accompanied by the relevant audio and transcript, without presenting unverified allegations as established facts. Mr. Chala, you have repeatedly crossed the boundaries of civil discourse. A few of us remain committed to defending human dignity against harassment, intimidation, and reckless accusations. Every public statement you make is your responsibility, and the historical record will speak for itself. Keep talking, Mr. Chala. The archive is growing, and your own words will remain available for examination long after this exchange is forgotten.
#Habtamu_Gurmu_Chala | @FBI @DHSgov @TheJusticeDept @FBIMobileAL United States and Alabama authorities:
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TeferiF retweeted
AMERICAN ETHIOPIAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (AEPAC)
URGENT APPEAL FOR THE RELEASE OF ETHIOPIAN JOURNALISTS AND PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE
The American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC) is deeply concerned about the prolonged detention, reported coercion, and alleged mistreatment of Ethiopian journalists and prisoners of conscience. We are particularly concerned about reports of deteriorating health, harsh detention conditions, and pressure on detainees to admit guilt.
We believe that every person deserves dignity, humane treatment, access to necessary medical care, and a fair judicial process. We call on Ethiopian authorities, the United States government, and the international community to take urgent and meaningful action to protect lives, uphold fundamental freedoms, and ensure respect for the rule of law.
1. Immediate Release of Journalist Abay Zewdu
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), journalist Abay Zewdu has been detained since August 10, 2023, in connection with his reporting on the conflict in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. He faces terrorism charges that could carry the death penalty if convicted.
Reports that he has been pressured to sign an apology admitting wrongdoing and pledge to abandon journalism are deeply troubling. Journalists must be able to carry out their professional responsibilities without intimidation, retaliation, or pressure to abandon their work.
We join CPJ in calling for Abay Zewdu’s immediate release and urge Ethiopian authorities to respect press freedom and protect journalists from intimidation and arbitrary detention.
Freedom of expression is protected under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Ethiopia is a party. Restrictions on this right must comply with international law.
2. Dr. Wondwossen Assefa: Urgent Concerns for His Health and Safety
We are deeply concerned about the reported health deterioration of Dr. Wondwossen Assefa, who has reportedly spent approximately three years in detention.
Reports indicate that he was transferred to a prison facility with harsher conditions after refusing to sign a letter admitting guilt. These allegations raise serious concerns about possible coercion, punitive treatment, and respect for due process.
No detainee should be subjected to mistreatment or pressured into signing a confession. Every person deprived of liberty must be treated humanely, protected from abuse, and provided with necessary medical attention.
We call on Ethiopian authorities to release Dr. Wondwossen Assefa immediately, ensure that he receives urgent and independent medical care, and take all necessary steps to protect his health, safety, and dignity. Given the reported deterioration of his condition, we believe immediate intervention is essential.
3. Immediate Release of All 28 Detainees
We are also deeply concerned about the 28 detainees who have reportedly spent approximately three years in detention without their guilt being established through a fair judicial process.
Prolonged detention raises serious concerns about personal liberty, access to justice, and the right to a fair hearing. It also places an enormous emotional and financial burden on detainees and their families.
We call on Ethiopian authorities to review these cases urgently and take immediate steps toward a fair and humane resolution.
As an immediate humanitarian measure, we urge the authorities to release all 28 detainees on bail into the care of their families while the necessary procedures for their unconditional release are completed.
All detainees whose health has been affected must receive timely and appropriate medical attention. Their families should not have to endure further uncertainty about the safety and well-being of their loved ones.
4. International Human Rights and Legal Obligations
The reported circumstances raise concerns under international human rights law, particularly the following instruments:
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
Ethiopia is a party to the ICCPR. Relevant protections include:
• Article 7: Prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.
• Article 9: Protects against arbitrary arrest and detention.
• Article 10: Requires humane treatment and respect for the dignity of persons deprived of liberty.
• Article 14: Guarantees fair-trial protections, including safeguards against compelled self-incrimination.
• Article 19: Protects freedom of expression.
Convention against Torture (CAT)
Ethiopia is also a party to the Convention against Torture, which prohibits torture and requires measures to prevent it. Article 16 addresses other acts of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment within the Convention’s scope.
We call on Ethiopian authorities to uphold these international obligations, investigate credible allegations of mistreatment, provide necessary medical care, respect fair-trial guarantees, and protect freedom of expression.
5. Urgent Appeal to the U.S. Embassy and Secretary of State Marco Rubio
We respectfully appeal to the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa to bring these cases to the immediate attention of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and engage Ethiopian authorities through appropriate diplomatic channels.
We ask Secretary Rubio and the U.S. government to:
• Advocate for the immediate release of journalist Abay Zewdu and the protection of press freedom in Ethiopia.
• Call for the immediate release of Dr. Wondwossen Assefa, ensuring urgent medical care and protection from further harm.
• Urge the release on bail of all 28 detainees while arrangements for their unconditional release are completed.
• Raise concerns about reported coercion, harsh detention conditions, and possible mistreatment, and call for independent investigations where warranted.
• Urge respect for Ethiopia’s international human rights obligations, including protections against arbitrary detention, torture, cruel treatment, and unjustified restrictions on freedom of expression.
We believe constructive diplomatic engagement can help prevent further harm, protect fundamental freedoms, and encourage respect for human dignity. We ask the United States government to give these cases the serious and timely attention they deserve.
A CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION
The reported circumstances surrounding these detentions raise serious concerns about due process, freedom of expression, arbitrary detention, and protection against inhumane treatment.
Journalism is not a crime. Peaceful dissent is not a crime. No one should be forced to confess to secure freedom or be denied essential medical care while in detention.
We believe protecting human rights is a shared responsibility. Governments, diplomatic institutions, civil society organizations, and the international community all have a role to play in safeguarding human dignity and ensuring justice.
The American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC) remains committed to strengthening U.S.–Ethiopia relations on the basis of mutual respect, shared interests, democracy, accountability, and human dignity.
In that spirit, we call on Ethiopian authorities to act without further delay, and we urge the United States and the international community to use appropriate diplomatic channels to help protect lives, uphold justice, and reunite detainees with their families.
We ask all relevant authorities to take these concerns seriously and respond with the urgency, compassion, and humanity that these circumstances require.
Justice delayed must not become lives lost.
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