UN Laments “Shocking” Christian-Muslim Clashes in Ethiopia – Expat Guide to Switzerland
The UN human rights chief on Saturday sounded the alarm over the recent deadly clashes between Muslims and Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia and called on the authorities to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said she was “deeply shocked” by the violence that erupted in northern Ethiopia late last month, reportedly killing at least 30 people and injuring more than 100 others.
The clashes began on April 26 in the Amhara region city of Gondar, reportedly related to a land dispute, before quickly spreading to other regions and the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, she said.
The Amhara Islamic Council said the funeral of a Muslim elder was attacked, describing the scene as a “massacre” by heavily armed “extremist Christians”.
The cemetery where the attack took place borders a mosque and a church and has been the subject of ongoing disputes between Muslims and Orthodox Christians, who are the dominant group in Ethiopia.
“I heard that two mosques were burned down and two others partially destroyed in Gondar,” Bachelet said in her statement.
“In the apparent retaliatory attacks that followed, two Orthodox Christian men were reportedly burned to death, another man hacked to death and five churches burned,” she said, adding that other regions have since seen clashes.
Overall, police have reportedly arrested and detained at least 578 people in at least four cities in connection with the clashes, she said.
“I call on the Ethiopian authorities to immediately launch and conduct thorough, independent and transparent investigations into each of these fatal incidents,” Bachelet said.
Authorities should strive to “ensure those responsible are held accountable,” she said, stressing that “individual accountability of perpetrators is essential to prevent further violence.”
At the same time, “those arrested must be guaranteed their rights to due process and a fair trial, in accordance with international human rights law, without discrimination.”
The UN chief also called for broader measures to reconcile communities in Ethiopia, where Muslims make up about a third of the population.
“In order to prevent further interfaith violence, it is critical that the root causes of this shocking violence are addressed immediately,” she said, calling for “meaningful participation by survivors, families and affected communities.”