September 14, 2020
Summary
In the late August 09, 2020, a protest was erupted in Sodo, capital of Wolaita Zone and some neighboring towns such as Boditi following the arrest of the zonal officials, activists and community leaders. The protest continued for the next few days almost covering the zone at large. According to HRLHA’s source at Sodo town, the protest was peaceful and the protesters had been predominantly urging the government to free arrested officials. A photograph of protesters holding a slogan demanding ‘referendum for Wolaita’ was also seen on social media. Immediately following arrest of the officials, large number of security forces overwhelmed Sodo town and other nearby district towns with a pretext to maintain law and order. Some eyewitnesses, who want to remain anonymous, told HRLHA that the security forces comprises of the Zonal Police, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP) Region Special Police and NDF.
Background
On August 09, 2020, the NDF arrested 26 men comprising officials of the Wolaita Zone, community leaders and activists while conducting a meeting in Gutera Conference Hall found at Sodo town. The assembly constitutes “Advisory Board of the Secretariat Council of the Formation of Wolaita Region.” The arrest of officials was made allegedly for conducting a meeting in violation of the State of Emergency restrictions issued for the prevention of COVID- 19. It has been reported that the meeting was meant to consult on the draft Constitution prepared supposedly for the future “Wolaita Regional State.”
From the list of Top Officials of Wolaita Zone Administration and others Arbitrarily Arrested on August 09, 2020 and Released on Bail on August 14, 2020
| S/N | Full Name | Sex | Position |
| Tibebu Yohannes | M | Woliata Zone Prosperity Party Head | |
| Dagato Kumbe | M | Wolaita Zone Chief Administrator | |
| Gobeze Godana | M | Woliata Zone Deputy Administrator | |
| Tsehay Woldemichael | F | Wolaita Zone Prosperity Party Political Affairs and Ideology Head | |
| Michael Saol | M | Woliata Zone Prosperity Party Organizer | |
| Mebrehatu Phaulos | M | Woliata Zone High Court President | |
| Ashenafi Kebede Ayide | M | Lecturer at Wolaita Sodo University and Human Rights Activist | |
| Etenesh Elias | F | Wolaita Zone Council Member | |
| Dr. Bisrat Elias | M | Woliata Peoples Democratic Front Executive Member | |
| Betela Birhanu | M | Chairperson of Chamber of Commerce | |
| Muluneh Woldetsadik | M | Woliata Zone Higher Court Judge | |
| Tesfaye Abebe | M | From Professional Association | |
| Kidus Meskele | M | Lecturer at Wolaita Sodo University | |
| Mihretu Kuke | M | Head of Wolaita Zone Justice Bureau | |
| Teketel Labena | M | Faculty Dean and Law Lecturer at Wolaita Sodo University | |
| Akililu Desta | F | – | |
| Workineh Gebeyehu | M | Lecturer at Wolaita Sodo University and Human Rights Activist | |
| Takele Samuel | M | Driver of Wolaita Zone Deputy Administrator | |
| Gobeze Abera | M | Wolaita National Movement Executive Committee | |
| Habtamu Timotios | M | Wolaita Development Association Executive Committee | |
| Daniel Desalegn | M | Member of Elders Council | |
| Seiyfu Leta | M | Chief of Wolaita Elders Council | |
| Petros Mengistu | M | Gutera Photographer |
Human Rights Abuses
| Dagim Tafese W/Hanna (Left) – He was 10 years old boy and a resident of Gido Bodit kebele. |
| Birkinesh Bala) – She was a 34 years old pregnant woman. Birkinesh was a resident of Dodo Holeta kebele. |
| Akililu Wana (Left) – He was 14 years old and a resident of Gido kebele. Akililu was a junior member of Wolaita Dicha Football Club. |
The security forces fired live bullet on the protesters causing dozens of brutal killings and physical assault on the first day alone. HRLHA’s source at Christian Hospital in Sodo town testified that most of the protesters were shot in the head and chest, which made the causality fatal. Our source added that many died before getting into the Hospital and those survived were given medical treatment. Different international organizations including the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has urged the government security forces to stop disproportionate use of force against the peaceful protesters. Mass arrest was also followed in a manner seriously exposing the protesters to COVID- 19. The government further blocked internet service (mobile data) in Sodo town making flow of information difficult. About sixty persons were extra judicially killed by a live bullet shot from security forces within the period of protest that has been continued up to Thursday August 14, 2020, HRLHA’s source in Sodo town has confirmed. According to our source, the body of twenty-seven persons from the victims of the killings is still missing. Unconfirmed informants told that the police have gathered bodies of these persons from different places in Sodo town such as Wadu, Otona, Maremiya, Gola, Gutera, Merkato, etc. and taken to places not yet known. Most of the victims were street children, people with mental health conditions on the street, bystanders, and daily laborers who had no participation in the protest.
Freedom of Assembly, Demonstration and Petition is one the fundamental human rights and freedoms guaranteed under Article 30 of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and other international human rights instruments ratified by Ethiopia. Concerning the case under consideration, the transgression of these rights by the government security forces has led to multiple human rights atrocities such as killings, physical assault, mass arrest, communication blackout etc. The State of Ethiopia is duty bound to respect and protect the fundamental human rights and freedoms enshrined under the FDRE Constitution and international human rights covenants to which the country is a State Party. Therefore, there is no doubt that the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) is responsible for human rights atrocities committed by its security forces against Wolaita peaceful protesters from August 09 to 10, 2020. It has to be recalled that the GoE has been repeatedly taking measures of suppressing political dissents. In this regard, the HRLHA has frequently urged the government to stop brutalities against peaceful protesters by security forces. Sadly, no improvement has been shown to this end. These days, it is of a public knowledge that oppositions and several human rights organizations are accusing the incumbent government of rampant politically motivated mass arrests, enforced disappearances and killings.
Partial List of Persons Extra judicially killed during the Peaceful Protest
| S/N | Full Name | Sex | S/N | Full Name | Sex | |
| 1 | Abayneh Seba | M | 17 | Getahun Bedilu | M | |
| 2 | Abdulaziz Ahimed | M | 18 | Habtamu Balta | M | |
| 3 | Akililu Wana | M | 19 | Matusala Esrael | M | |
| 4 | Azmeraw Asfew | M | 20 | Menase Mamiru | M | |
| 5 | Belay Bassa | M | 21 | Mesfin Ayicha | M | |
| 6 | Belete Belachew | M | 22 | Minalu Tadese | M | |
| 7 | Beniam Merid | M | 23 | Minase Tamiru | M | |
| 8 | Bereket Mamo | M | 24 | Petros Abebaw | M | |
| 9 | Birkinesh Bassa | F | 25 | Tagay Taye | M | |
| 10 | Biyu Tesfaye | M | 26 | Temesgen Estifanos | M | |
| 11 | Dagim Tafese | M | 27 | Temesgen Ganta | M | |
| 12 | Desalegn Kassa | M | 28 | Tesfaye Kassa | M | |
| 13 | Esrael Boto | M | 29 | Tesfaye Tamirat | M | |
| 14 | Eyob Balcha | M | 30 | Tesfaye Teferi | M | |
| 15 | Getahun Adisu | M | 31 | Yonas Eskiel | M | |
| 16 | Getahun Ashenafi | M |
Current Situation
Government did not apologize the families of the victims in particular and the public at large for brutalities of the security forces that resulted in, among others, loss of precious lives and severe bodily injury. Nor the government took a step towards ensuring accountability of those responsible for the atrocities. The Wolaita people’s longstanding quest for self-determination, which has been the central cause behind the undergoing crisis in Wolaita zonal administration of the SNNP Regional State, is not yet settled. Even worse, the police kept on its investigation against the top officials of the zone who were released on bail on August 14, 2020 and whose arbitrary arrest led to peaceful protest throughout the zone resulting into grave human rights atrocities as indicated above. Furthermore, HRLHA’s source has confirmed that intimidation and harassment has been continued against activists and oppositions especially members and supporters of the Wolaita National Movement (WNM), an opposition political party recognized by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia (NEBE). On the other hand, it is a good news that the EHRC has recently announced deployment of its team of experts to the area in order to conduct an investigation into alleged atrocities committed by the government security forces against peaceful protesters.
Recommendations
The HRLHA would like to kindly extend the following recommendations to Federal Government of Ethiopia and the SNNP Regional State:
- Drop police interrogation going on against the Wolaita Zone senior officials who were released on bail on August 14, 2020 and resort to peaceful dialogue to bring about lasting stability in the region and beyond.
- Allow an independent and impartial investigation into human rights violations committed against Wolaita peaceful protesters from August 09 to 14, 2020.
- Stop politically motivated harassment and intimidation against officials, members and supporters of opposition political parties; media; and activists operating in Wolaita zone that are advocating for the realization of the Statehood (autonomous federating entity) status of the zone.
- Facilitate for a referendum to be conducted urgently in order to ensure years of Wolaita people’s quest for self-determination.
- Pull back military to camp especially the National Defense Force who have been perpetrating wicked atrocities against political dissenters and innocent civilians in the Zone.
Copied to-
- H.E. Abiy Ahmed Ali (PhD)
Prime Minister, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Tel.: +251 111 226 767
Fax: +251 111 226 292
P.O.Box: 1031 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Email: info@pmo.gov.et
Lorenzo Te’azaz Road
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Her Excellency W/ro Meaza Ashenafi
President of the Federal Supreme Court, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Tel/ስልክ:-0111553400
Po Box /ፖ.ሳ.ቁ:-6166
Fax/ፋክስ:-0111550278/0111565583
Toll Free/ነጻ ስልክ 992
Email: fscpublicrelation@gmail.com
Sidist Kilo Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- His Excellency Daniel Bekele (PhD),
Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission
Tel. (251 11) 550 4135
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Email: Daniel.bekele@outlook.com
