Ethiopia: Human Rights

(asked on 8th September 2020) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to help reduce human rights violations against the Oromo people in Ethiopia.


Answered by
James Duddridge Portrait
James Duddridge
This question was answered on 16th September 2020

I am concerned by reports of human rights violations against the Oromo people that included the murder of Ethiopian musician Hachalu Hundessa on 29 June, and the violence that followed in Addis Ababa and the Oromo region. I visited Ethiopia from 27 - 29 July and was able to discuss these events with the President, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the President of Oromia Region. I urged for transparent investigations into these incidents of violence and asked that those detained receive access to justice, and that their cases are heard promptly. I also expressed the need for more peaceful dialogue between different groups in Ethiopia and for space to be given for political debate. We shall continue to monitor the situation and to raise the importance of respect for human rights in meetings with the Ethiopian Government and regional leaders.

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