Skip to content
Facebook XYouTube Linkedin Flicker TikTok Instagram WhatsApp Telegram
Ethiopian Human Rights Commission – EHRC
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Our Team
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Regions
        • Regions

          EHRC is an independent federal institution tasked with the promotion and protection of human rights in Ethiopia.

        • Addis Ababa
        • Afar
        • Amhara
        • Benishangul Gumuz
        • Gambella
        • Oromia
        • Somali
        • Tigray
        • Central Ethiopia
        • Dire Dawa
        • Harari
        • Sidama
        • South Ethiopia
        • South West Ethiopia Peoples'
  • Areas of Work
        • Areas of Work

          We are an independent national human rights institution tasked with the promotion & protection of human rights in Ethiopia.

        • Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
        • Civil & Political Rights
        • IDPs, Refugees & Migrants’ Rights
        • Rights of Persons with Disabilities & the Rights of Older Persons
        • Women’s & Children’s Rights
        • Human Rights Education
        • Human Rights Monitoring & Investigation
        • Human Rights Film Festival
        • Human Rights Moot Court Competition
  • Press Releases
  • Reports
  • Media
    • EHRC on the News
    • EHRC Newsletters
    • EHRC Videos
    • EHRC Visuals
  • Latest
    • Expert Views
    • Explainers
    • Event Updates
    • Annual Ethiopia Human Rights Situation Reports
  • Resources
 
Ethiopian Human Rights Commission – EHRCEthiopian Human Rights Commission – EHRC

Wolaita Zone: Lethal Force Used Against Protesters

August 11, 2020May 30, 2021 Press Release

Security forces killed at least six people

Twitter Facebook Telegram Email Whatsapp Print

Security forces in Wolaita Zone appear to have used excessive force in confronting protesters, killing at least six people on August 10, 2020, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said.

The protests were triggered by the detention on Monday of several senior zonal officials who sought to unilaterally declare the formation of a new regional state within the federation. Authorities, however, have accused them of conspiring with opposition groups in an attempt to destabilize the zone.

“Security forces should exercise maximum restraint from using lethal force in dealing with peaceful protest. Such actions only exacerbate an already tense situation,” said Aaron Maasho, senior advisor and spokesperson at EHRC.

“The killing of at least six protesters requires a prompt investigation into the circumstances of the case and use of lethal force.” 

Protesters took to the streets in several towns across the zone in the aftermath of the arrests. According to witnesses who spoke with EHRC, the incidents involving loss of life took place in Boditi, where five people died. One additional person was killed in Sodo, the zonal capital.

A total of 178 people were detained during Monday’s arrests, 28 of whom are senior officials in the zone’s administration. They remain detained in the premises of Wolaita Sodo Agricultural, Technical and Vocational Education College.

“Authorities should also ensure that the rights of all detainees are fully respected, including to appear before a court promptly,” said Aaron.

“The Federal and Regional government should demonstrate leadership to achieve a timely and peaceful resolution of issues related to pending requests for separate regional statehood within the SNNPR.”

Related posts

March 3, 2023March 3, 2023 Press Release
Regarding 2023 Adwa Victory Day celebration related incidents EHRC calls for implicated law enforcement officials to be subject to accountability
October 8, 2022October 11, 2022 EHRC on the News
Ethiopian Security Forces Accused of Killing Civilian – VOA - Voice of America English News
April 21, 2021July 7, 2021 EHRC Quote
Benishangul-Gumuz region: Civilian killings, property destruction in Kamashi Zone
December 24, 2020May 30, 2021 Press Release
Benishangul-Gumuz region: Protection of civilians is the primary duty of the government

Signup for the Latest Update from EHRC

Submit your email to singup
Facebook Like us on FacebookXFollow us on XYouTube Follow us on YouTubeLinkedin Follow us on LinkedinWhatsApp WhatsAppTikTok TikTokTelegram TelegramInstagram InstagramFlicker Flickr

Useful Links

  • NANHRI
  • GANHRI
  • OHCHR
  • ACHPR
  • TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE

Get Involved

  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • Telegram Bot
  • Subscribe to our newsletter

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
Descriptive Text

We are an independent
national human rights
institution tasked with
the promotion and protection of human
rights in Ethiopia.

Submit your email to get the latest update from EHRC

Address: Sunshine Tower No. 5, Meskel Square, on Bole Road next to Hyatt Regency Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tel: +251115504031 | Fax: +251 11 550 4125 | PO Box 1165 Addis Ababa | Email: info@ehrc.org


The contents of this website, excepting third party content for which the Commission bears no responsibility,
may be freely used and copied for educational and other non-commercial purposes, provided that any such reproduction is accompanied by an acknowledgement of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Source of images used in the content of this website: EHRC Media and Communications Department Archive and Creative Common License.

This website is managed by the Media and Communications team of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in .

Scroll to top
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Our Team
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Regions
    • Addis Ababa
    • Afar
    • Amhara
    • Benishangul Gumuz
    • Central Ethiopia
    • Dire Dawa
    • Gambella
    • Harari
    • Oromia
    • Sidama
    • Somali
    • South Ethiopia
    • South West Ethiopia Peoples’
    • Tigray
  • Areas of Work
    • Economic, Social & Cultural Rights
    • Civil & Political Rights
    • IDPs, Refugees & Migrants’ Rights
    • Rights of Persons with Disabilities & the Rights of Older Persons
    • Human Rights Monitoring & Investigation
    • Women’s & Children’s Rights
    • Human Rights Education
    • Human Rights Film Festival
    • Human Rights Moot Court Competition
  • Press Releases
  • Reports
  • Media
    • EHRC on the News
    • EHRC Newsletters
    • EHRC Videos
    • EHRC Visuals
  • Latest
    • Expert Views
    • Explainers
    • Event Updates
    • Annual Ethiopia Human Rights Situation Reports
  • Resources
Facebook XYouTube Linkedin Flicker TikTok Instagram WhatsApp Telegram
Search
Ethiopian Human Rights Commission - EHRC
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.