In 2018, the House passed H.R. 128, Supporting respect for human rights and encouraging inclusive governance in Ethiopia. Unfortunately, in recent days Ethiopia’s government—led by 2019 Peace Prize Laureate Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed—has escalated human rights abuses to unconscionable levels. These abuses are particularly targeted at Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, the Oromo, and other diversified groups, who have been historically marginalized by successive regimes.

On Monday, June 29, 2020, renowned Oromo artist-activist Hachalu Hundessa was gunned down in the capital city of Addis Ababa. This assassination comes just days after an interview aired in which he expressed his concerns about the government’s wrongdoings. Less than 24 hours later, on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, the government has arrested and unlawfully detained multiple prominent opposition leaders including Oromo politicians and human rights activists such as Bekele Gerba, Jawar Mohammed, Hamza Borana, Yusuf Beshir, and several dozen individuals. These actions are further compounded by an internet shutdown effectively stifling information sharing and outside communication with people on the ground. The assassination and arrests have caused an eruption of protests, and we are hearing that scores of peaceful protestors have been killed by government forces, and thousands more injured. 

While I am a U.S. citizen, I fear for the safety of the Oromo people - their family and loved ones in Ethiopia. I fear that we are on the brink of mass atrocities. The New York Times has, on July 1, 2020, reported that over 50 have been killed while protesting in several towns following the gunning down of the prominent singer. Given that PM Abiy Ahmed has suspended national elections for an unknown period of time, there is no political incentive to hold his administration to any account. 

The U.S. has long been an ally of Ethiopia. As my representative, I call upon you to stand with your Oromo and Ethiopian constituents in condemning and rejecting Abiy Ahmed’s brutal regime which is masquerading as a democratic government. Specifically, I ask you to:

Denounce state-sanctioned military and police violence on innocent civilians. Use your leverage to demand an immediate cessation of the use of excessive force.

Demand an independent investigation into the assassination of artist/activist Hachalu Hundessa.

Demand the immediate release of prominent opposition leaders including Bekele Gerba, Jawar Mohammed, Hamza Borana, Yusuf Beshir, and many others. All activists and politicians should be released immediately, and without preconditions.