Unlike former demonstrations, which have been mainly restricted to Oromia region, the recent protests were also ranged in Amhara region. Since November at least 650 people have been killed, and thousands have been apprehended throughout the principally peaceful protests, beside this in June 2016 more than 35 civilian people were killed in Jamac Dubad of Somali region. Grounds of the protests in Oromia and Amhara regions are criticisms focused on longstanding abuses, discrimination, violation and concerns over the dominance of TPLF (Tigrayan People's Liberation Front) of the country’s politic and economy affairs as well as other extraordinary grievances. 

Security forces’ agony and torture of people in custody as well as arbitrary arrests has been unescapable. However, international donors and highly influential countries have been silent about the brutal crackdown and due to the silence Ethiopian people lose faith on western countries to offer even the slightest condemnation of their government. Nevertheless, the minor good update is that the international silence on Ethiopia was leaked on10^th August, when the UN human rights issued that an international investigation and accountability are needed for the killings of peaceful protesters  (Nebehay, 2016).

There is no opportunity to observe the country’s human rights situation independently, or to access justice. After 2015 elections which was not internationally standardized the leading party of the country EPRDF (Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front) claimed that they hold 100 percent on the seats both federal and regional parliaments, preventing future challenges and serious and hard debates in the parliament.  The courts also are not independent especially when it comes to politically motivated cases. On the other hand, freedom of press is also highly restricted in the country and some incidents recorded shows violation and abuses on independent journalists which include several international journalists that were detained in the country (Felix Horne, 2015) also many other local journalists and social activists have been detained for instanse Zone9 Blogers and swedish journalists. 

In conclusion, international donors and western countries should support the call from UN human right for internationally independent investigations on the recent protest and they should play visible role in pushing for the investigation to hold the government accountable for its brutal response to civilians keeping their fundamental rights to expression otherwise the dead and the agony will continue to rise. Therefore, if western countries support the Human Right call that will mean a great for the victims and their pleas of justice may seem being heard, at the same time it will be overdue message to EPRDF that its security forces could not dead shoot the peaceful protesters.

By:  A. Yusuf 

I am concerned citizen and I can be reached for feedback and farther information through E-mail: [email protected]