On 21 January 2016, the European Parliament passed an urgent resolution on the situation in Ethiopia, condemning the use of violence by the security forces against peaceful Oromo protesters, in particular, and drawing attention to the increased number of human rights violations in Ethiopia, more generally. The resolution also highlights the dire situation in the Ogaden region and calls for a credible investigation into atrocities committed in the country. Importantly, as stressed by UNPO at multiple occasions, the resolution calls for greater scrutiny by the EU of its development assistance to Ethiopia, to ensure it is not contributing to further human rights violations.
A recent plan by the Ethiopian Government to expand its capital city, Addis Ababa, into surrounding Oromo lands has caused mass demonstrations among the Oromo community over the past months. Since November 2015, at least 140 peaceful protestors have been killed and many more imprisoned. Ethiopia being an important partner to the European Union, in terms of ensuring security and stability in the Horn of Africa, and one of the major recipients of European development aid, the EU’s legislative body made a clear statement through its resolution of 21 January, that there has to be an end to the ongoing human rights abuses and brutal suppression of dissenting voices by the Ethiopian government.
The adoption of the resolution came only a week after a
Following an earlier plenary debate
For more information please see the
To watch the video of the plenary debate please