[ad_1]
Addis Ababa, September 22, 2020 – In her latest post on the global human rights update, Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said her office was ready to support a comprehensive investigation into the June 29 murder of prominent Oromo artist Haccaaluu Hundessa.
Michelle Bachelet’s statement acknowledged the seriousness of the murder and the consequences in its wake. “In Ethiopia, despite remarkable efforts in recent years to achieve meaningful human rights-based reforms, the killing of an Oromo singer and activist in July sparked protests and inter-community violence across the country,” the statement said .
“My Office stands ready to support a thorough, independent, impartial and transparent Government investigation into the homicide and subsequent violence, and to support the Government’s ongoing legislative reforms.”
At least 176, 10 of whom were members of the security forces, died in Oromia and Addis Ababa immediately after the Haccaaluu murder. The killings were carried out by groups targeting minorities, including followers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) in Oromia, and security forces who attacked the protesters.
More than 9,000 people were arrested after the violence, according to the government’s own report. The arrests include prominent opposition politicians, academics, journalists, and various critics of the government, some of whom are now charged with terrorism, incitement to violence, and illegal possession of weapons, among others. HOW
[ad_2]
