I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the ongoing and escalating violence, persecution, and human rights abuses against Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and the Amhara people in Ethiopia over the past eight years, since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018.

Recent Atrocity in Arsi (June 2026)

Most recently, credible reports indicate that between 35 and over 49 Ethiopian Orthodox Christians were brutally killed in the Arsi Zone of Oromia region in late May and early June 2026. Victims were targeted based on their religious identity. These attacks also included:

Burning of churches, including a century‑old Orthodox church
Destruction of over 280 homes
Mass displacement of hundreds of civilians [apanews.net], [africa.dai...segypt.com], [uoj.news]
This is only the latest in a series of repeated, targeted massacres against Orthodox Christians in the same region.

Pattern of Violence Against Orthodox Christians (2018–Present)

Since 2018, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians have faced repeated attacks, including:

Killings of worshippers inside churches and during religious gatherings
Murder of priests and clergy, including a priest and his entire family in Oromia in 2024 [eastafrica...review.com]
Burning and destruction of churches and religious institutions
Forced displacement of Christian communities
Even government security forces have been implicated in violence. In 2023, security forces reportedly killed Orthodox worshippers inside a church in Shashemene using excessive force. [state.gov]

Religious freedom reports also highlight a pattern in which both government and non‑state actors have targeted religious institutions and worshippers. Analysts note that violence against Orthodox Christians has intensified in recent years and is often intertwined with ethnic targeting of Amhara communities. [govinfo.gov] [ghrd.org]

Violence Against Amhara Civilians (Widely Described as Genocidal)

Over the past several years, Amhara civilians have faced widespread and systematic attacks, including:

Mass killings of civilians in Oromia and other regions
Forced displacement and destruction of communities
Targeted attacks by armed groups such as the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA)
Repeated massacres of Amhara civilians dating back to at least 2020, when hundreds were killed in Oromia [eurasiareview.com]
Human rights reporting indicates that thousands of civilians have been killed in Oromia and Amhara regions in recent years amid ongoing conflict. [eurasiareview.com]

Government Actions and Human Rights Violations

Equally alarming are credible reports of systematic repression and abuses involving Ethiopian government actions, including:

1. Arbitrary Arrests and Mass Detentions

Thousands of Amhara civilians have been detained without charge in mass detention campaigns beginning in 2023–2024 [amnesty.org]
Judges, journalists, academics, and community leaders have been arrested without due process [theeastafr...ndaily.com]
Detentions are often carried out without warrants and in violation of international law
2. Extrajudicial Killings and Military Abuses

Reports of extrajudicial killings, drone strikes, and shelling of civilian areas in Amhara region [ohchr.org]
Civilian deaths caused by heavy weapons used in populated areas
Ongoing armed conflict between government forces and militias resulting in civilian casualties
3. Suppression and Intimidation

Widespread restrictions on freedom of speech, press, and peaceful assembly
Harassment and intimidation of journalists, civil society, and religious figures [state.gov]
Surveillance and detention of those who criticize the government
4. Interference in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Government involvement in internal church disputes
Targeting and intimidation of clergy and church leaders
Pressure campaigns and actions perceived as undermining the autonomy of the Orthodox Church
Broader Human Rights Crisis

The U.S. Department of State and international organizations have documented:

Arbitrary killings and disappearances
Torture and inhumane treatment
Ethnic violence and mass displacement
Restrictions on media and civil society [state.gov], [state.gov]
Human Rights Watch has also reported that government forces, militias, and armed groups have committed war crimes and serious abuses, including unlawful killings and sexual violence. [hrw.org]

Urgent Request for U.S. Action

Given the scale, duration, and severity of these abuses, I respectfully urge you to take the following actions:

Policy Actions Requested

Publicly condemn the ongoing killings and persecution of Orthodox Christians and Amhara civilians
Support congressional hearings and resolutions addressing atrocities in Ethiopia
Call for independent international investigations into massacres and human rights abuses
Advocate for the release of political prisoners, including detained clergy and Amhara civilians
Condition U.S. aid and security cooperation on measurable human rights improvements
Engage the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to monitor religious persecution
Apply targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for gross human rights violations
Closing

For eight years, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and Amhara civilians have faced killings, displacement, imprisonment, and systemic repression. The recent massacre in Arsi is not an isolated tragedy—it is part of a broader and deeply troubling pattern.

The United States has a moral and legal responsibility to stand for human rights and religious freedom. I urge you to act decisively to help protect innocent lives and ensure accountability for these ongoing abuses.