Ethiopia’s Government Blocks US State Department Report and Social Media, Leaving VPN as the Only Option

Ethiopia’s Government Blocks US State Department Report and Social Media, Leaving VPN as the Only Option Ethiopia’s government has recently blocked access to the US State Department annual human rights report. The report, which is accessible on the https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/ website, is no longer accessible without using a virtual private network (VPN). Additionally, the official website of the US State Department is no longer available without a VPN (State.gov). This action follows Ethiopia’s recent move to block access to social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube without a VPN. Ethiopia is currently emerging from a two-year conflict in the north that saw all parties involved committing atrocities. The cessation of hostilities agreement (COHA), signed on November 2, 2022, has led to a decrease in human rights abuses in northern Ethiopia, the withdrawal of Eritrean forces, and the Ethiopian government’s initial steps towards transitional justice. However, it is important to acknowledge the suffering that was inflicted upon civilians in northern Ethiopia during the conflict. After a thorough review of the law and facts, it has been determined that members of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF), Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forces, and Amhara forces committed war crimes during the conflict in northern Ethiopia. Acknowledging the atrocities committed by all parties involved is a crucial step in achieving sustainable peace. Those most responsible for the atrocities, including those in positions of command, must be held accountable. It is encouraging to see the commitment made by the parties to the COHA to acknowledge the atrocities and their devastating consequences. It is imperative that all parties follow through on their commitments to one another and implement a credible, inclusive, and comprehensive transitional justice process. The Government of Eritrea must also ensure comprehensive justice and accountability for those responsible for abuses in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government has accused the United States of taking a “partisan” approach by alleging that its forces, along with Eritrean troops, had committed war crimes during the two-year conflict in Tigray. The foreign ministry issued a statement on Tuesday, a day after Washington accused all parties to the conflict of committing war crimes but singled out Ethiopian, Eritrean, and regional Amhara forces for crimes against humanity, without mentioning forces loyal to the TPLF. On Tuesday, Eritrea’s foreign ministry stated that the allegations were “unsubstantiated and defamatory” and constituted a “continuation of unwarranted hostility and demonization that US administrations have pursued against Eritrea since 2009 to advance their ulterior political agendas.” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently made his first visit to Ethiopia since the November 2022 peace deal between the federal government and Tigrayan rebels. Upon returning to Washington, Blinken made a strong call for accountability, citing the State Department’s “careful review of the law and facts”

Ethiopian Orthodox Church Condemns Violation of Agreement and Canon, Urges Unity”

Ethiopian Orthodox Church Condemns Violation of Agreement and Canon, Urges Unity” The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has issued a statement indicating that an agreement made by the fathers a few days ago has been violated, along with the canon. The Holy Synod office released a statement regarding the matter today. Abune Abraham, speaking to his followers, reminded them that peace had been declared just two days prior. However, he noted that in the ensuing days, all that has been heard has served to further divide the church and create discord between fathers and children. At around nine o’clock under the new name ‘#New_Synodos’, those related to the papacy and those who are not, as well as those related to the episcopate and those who are not, broke the agreement and the canon, thereby destroying them. This action effectively reinstated the old religion and laws that had been previously broken. Their actions conveyed a message that their appointment is legal and will not be revoked in any way. However, this message is seen as a frivolous allegation that has more to do with politics than religion. Instead of protecting the church and teaching the faithful, they are using power and force to create conflicts and control everyone. They are claiming that all of their thoughts are on an equal level, and the 25 ministers and priests from yesterday are still bishops. At nine o’clock, they announced that they would not come all day, but they later entered their house of worship without notifying anyone. The church is watching silently, waiting patiently. Therefore, the message being conveyed is that those who violate the law, break agreements, and use falsehoods to pretend to be true must stop this behavior and show some courage. Tags ethiopia church news ethiopian orthodox church 1 COMMENT Bekure Yemane February 18, 2023 At 8:18 pm The EOTC lost its credibility when it went unresponsive when Abune Theophlos was executed by the Derg on the day of honor of The Trinity (Selassie) in 1979 . Abuna Theophlos went on hunger strike for 40 days and was willing to die but broke his fast when his cell mate, Bitwoded Zewde G/hiwot fell on his feet and begged him to do so. (Funny the Abune was executed on the same day that the President of Haile Selassie I University Lij Kassa W/ Mariam who was also the legal heir of the Oromo Kingdom of Leqa Quellem). The Church did nothing when the head was “beheaded”. It is paying for that now up until the Church reinstitute itself once again by some miracle. The EOTC lost its credibility when it went unresponsive when Abune Theophlos was executed by the Derg on the day of honor of The Trinity (Selassie) in 1979 . Abuna Theophlos went on hunger strike for 40 days and was willing to die but broke his fast when his cell mate, Bitwoded Zewde G/hiwot fell on his feet and begged him to do so. (Funny the Abune was executed on the same day that the President of Haile Selassie I University Lij Kassa W/ Mariam who was also the legal heir of the Oromo Kingdom of Leqa Quellem). The Church did nothing when the head was “beheaded”. It is paying for that now up until the Church reinstitute itself once again by some miracle. Comments are closed.

The Persecution of Ethiopian Orthodox Church Followers: A Comparison to Jewish Persecution Throughout History

The Persecution of Ethiopian Orthodox Church Followers: A Comparison to Jewish Persecution Throughout History The persecution of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church draws comparisons to the persecution of the Jewish people. Both groups have been targeted by authorities for their religious beliefs and have been subject to human rights abuses. The use of disproportionate force and the arrest of individuals without due process are common threads that run through both instances of persecution. The recent persecution of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has been a matter of great concern for many people. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is one of the oldest Christian churches in the world and has been involved in a dispute over the appointment of the papacy and the establishment of the Synod. This disagreement led to the formation of a new synod by some bishops who were not appointed by the main leadership of the church. The main leadership of the church condemned this action as a violation of its order and canon. The government’s response to the dispute has been to arrest individuals suspected of creating informal organizations to achieve their own goals and political needs, to pit religion against religion and nation against nation, and to undermine the constitution and the constitutional system. However, the church’s lawyers claim that the arrests are politically motivated and have increased even after the government agreed to allow the church to settle the matter with its own religious canon and administration without government intervention. The use of disproportionate force by government security personnel has led to accusations of human rights abuses. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission confirmed that eight people were shot and beaten in Shashemene, but the church claims that the number is higher. Additionally, parishioners and religious leaders who opposed the bishops who claimed to have established the new “Church” were beaten, harassed, kicked out of churches, restricted by force, and illegally arrested. The persecution of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church draws comparisons to the persecution of the Jewish people. Both groups have been targeted by authorities for their religious beliefs and have been subjected to human rights abuses. The use of disproportionate force and the arrest of individuals without due process are common threads that run through both instances of persecution. It is important to note that the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church is not the only religious group to have faced persecution in Ethiopia. The country has a history of religious tension and conflict, and the government has been accused of favoring certain religious groups over others. It is important for the government to ensure that all religious groups are treated equally, and that the human rights of all individuals are respected. In connection with the recent incident of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the church’s lawyers told the BBC that the followers of the faith were arrested, and most of them were taken to the Awash Seven military camp. According to Ayatollah Bitane, chairman of the main committee of lawyers of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, more than 200 believers have been arrested. However, the actual number is not known, and the information body set up for this purpose will provide the details in the coming days. The arrests were mostly made in Addis Ababa and neighboring areas, and there is information about the number of pilgrims taken to Awash Seven. Although they do not know exactly how many individuals were arrested in Awash Seven, they said that 100 to 200 followers of the faith were taken to the place. Some of those arrested in Addis Ababa on Monday, February 06/2015, appeared in court and were arrested on suspicion of “terrorist activities and forming an informal organization to undermine the constitution.” Twelve people from the records of Principal Mehrete Ab Asefa and Kerubel Asefa, as well as those of Feven Zerihun and Brooktavit Nabiyu, were present at the hearing on Monday. Among them, seven suspects were released on bail, but the others were given an appointment of eight days, and their case was heard on February 14/2015. It is stated that it will be seen. Among those suspected of terrorist crimes are Feven Zerihun, the chairman of the youth and adult associations of the church, the general secretary of the association, Biruktait Nebyou. Tags ethiopia orthodox church news ethiopian orthodox church

GPE strongly condemns the targeting of religious institutions by the government in Ethiopia

GPE strongly condemns the targeting of religious institutions by the government in Ethiopia Genocide Prevention in Ethiopia has received credible information that the ruling Prosperity Party is escalating violent attacks on civilians massacring more than forty (40) laity and two clergymen to date while arresting several hundreds of peaceful worshipers, and clergymen, exasperating an already volatile situation. The illegal detention of the faithful has continued right until we issued this statement. GPE has asserted that the government and its various legal and illegal agencies as beingthe primary actors of many of the countries human rights violations & crimes againsthumanity (genocide, war crimes, mass murder, mass arrest, disappearances of well-knownadvocates) kidnapping and robbing of banks along with arming illegal groups.Over the course of the last four years, the government has been the central agitator andsponsor of violence in religious and educational institutions through its various agents. Thegovernment was involved in the overthrowing of the spiritual leader of the legitimateIslamic Council as well as the continued harassing of worshipers during religious holidays.In effect, the government is committing the crimes, as well as acting as law enforcement.It is engaged in shady practices disrupting civic organizations, by facilitating andcoordinating with non-state criminal actors that massacred ethnically targeted people.Thousands of innocent civilians, most of whom were women, children, and elderly weregunned down or hacked to death with machetes with their bodies spread over fields left forvultures and wild animals denied even burial rights. The involvement of the government incriminal endeavors has now extended to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, itsleaders, and the faithful. GPE condemns the ongoing killing and persecution of the faithful, forceful entry intoworship places and religious institutions, and all disruptive and irresponsible acts by thegovernment and its agencies. We call upon the government to dispense its duties to protectinstead of perpetrating crimes against humanity. GPE also warns that the very agitating press release by the Oromo National RegionalThe government may create a hostile environment that encourages hate-driven mobs to carry out ethnic and religious-based attacks we have seen take place in the past. It is important to note since 2018 there was consistent and horrific targeting of ethnic Amharas and Orthodox Christians in the region. The regional officials will need to take responsibility for any attack their aggravating announcements may spur. GPE warns members of the international community that there is an imminent danger oflarge-scale genocide if there is no pressure placed on the government to tamper its rhetoricand threats to illegally interfere in matters of faith.

Ethiopian Orthodox Church Concerned Over Abduction of Journalist Deacon Yosef by Government Forces

Ethiopian Orthodox Church Concerned Over Abduction of Journalist Deacon Yosef by Government Forces The Ethiopian government’s interference in religious affairs and media censorship continues to be a concern for citizens and rights groups. The recent abduction of journalist Deacon Yosef Ketema by government security forces has raised questions about the government’s commitment to protecting the rights of its citizens. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has been vocal in calling for an end to government interference in church affairs. While the government has made promises to address this issue, some observers note that interference has continued to undermine the church’s activities. The church recently postponed a planned rally following government promises to halt interference. In addition, the government’s crackdown on social media platforms has limited access to these platforms, requiring the use of VPNs to access them. This has been viewed by some as a violation of the right to free speech and expression. The situation in Ethiopia is complex, with the country continuing to face political and social unrest. While the government has made commitments to address issues of interference in religious affairs and media censorship, there are concerns that it has not followed through on these promises. This is a developing story, and we will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available. Tags abduction D/N Yosef City ethiopia Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church free speech government interference media censorship Oromo language security forces

Celebrities, Diplomats, and Influencers Stand United in Support of Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Celebrities, Diplomats, and Influencers Stand United in Support of Ethiopian Orthodox Church The Ethiopian Orthodox Church which is currently facing an illegal takeover attempt, fully supported by the government. This has sparked outrage among celebrities, social media influencers, and diplomats who are showing their solidarity with the church. Veronica Adane, a renowned singer, was one of the first to take to social media to share her support for the church. She used her platform to spread awareness about the ongoing crisis and to encourage her followers to stand in solidarity with the church. A post shared by ቬሮኒካ አዳነ /Veronica Adane (@veronica_adane) Model and movie producer Ameleset Muche also joined in the support, using her social media to raise awareness about the situation and to show her support for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Hanan Tarq, another model and social media influencer, used her platform to express her solidarity with the church and to call for an end to the illegal takeover attempt. Actor Mamush and Russia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia also joined the growing list of celebrities who are standing in support of the Orthodox Church. Artists Sami Dan and prominent figures from other religions, including Protestant singer Sophia Shibabaw and journalist Hawlet Ahmed, have also shown their support. Hawlet Ahmed even postponed her book launch in light of the ongoing attack on the Orthodox Church. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02quHEgDwtsrg4DAoJnY8zHFEbV8hqymgm3k3HWQrZveCv9cFfb7cY9X7NxSAR3wwxl&id=100000059682105&mibextid=Nif5oz These developments show the various perspectives and reactions to the situation surrounding the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Regardless of one’s stance, it is important to address the issue in a peaceful and respectful manner, ensuring the protection of religious freedom and human rights. ? Interview of Ambassador E. Terekhin with Mahibere Kidusan Television (Ethiopia Orthodox Television) is in process. Broadcasting date and time will be communicated later. pic.twitter.com/bYQxa3XCCI In addition to the support from the general public, the Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonen’s office administrator, Nebeyou Baye, issued a statement in support of the church. Russia’s ambassador to Ethiopia also spoke out on the issue, calling for calm and restraint during an interview with EOTC TV channel. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02o52cwQprcLe7pSLQHjLMBn8YzrenXTMTr4e8EqBjcT1xi19RzHooCusjBttNMzcrl&id=257133381025542&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=6aamW6 These celebrities’ actions highlight the growing concern among the public over the illegal takeover attempt and the importance of religious freedom. Their actions show that regardless of religion, the right to practice one’s beliefs freely is a fundamental human right that should be protected.

Orthodox Church in Shashemene Besieged: Community Rallies in Face of Tragedy

Orthodox Church in Shashemene Besieged: Community Rallies in Face of Tragedy Shashemene, Ethiopia – Breaking News: Tensions are rising in several parts of Ethiopia as similar confrontations between religious groups and authorities have been reported from Aseb Teferi and Arsi Negele, in addition to the tragic incident in Shashemene. In Shashemene, one Orthodox Christian was killed when the local church rang its bells to alert its followers of an illegal takeover attempt by a government-supported religious group, which was reportedly assisted by the Oromia police. Internet and telecommunications services have been shut down in the area. In Aseb Teferi and Arsi Negele, similar incidents have been reported, with eyewitnesses claiming that confrontations between religious groups and authorities have resulted in tensions and unrest in the communities. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has not yet issued a statement on the incidents. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and calling for calm and restraint. The lack of communication and access to information in the affected areas due to the shutdown of internet and telecommunications services is a cause for concern.

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Takes Legal Action Against Alleged Abusers

Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Takes Legal Action Against Alleged Abusers The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has taken a significant step in protecting its rights and ensuring justice for its members. In a statement released today, the church confirmed its intention to file a lawsuit in the Federal Supreme Court, charging 25 individuals who are accused of violating its legal rights and committing abuses against its ministers, priests, and faithful. According to the statement, the charges have been filed under the Second Fundamental Rights and Freedoms category at the Lideta Branch, and the individuals charged include Abba Sawiros, Abba Eustatius, Abba Zena and Markos. The church has also taken the unusual step of including the Federal Police and the Oromia Regional Government in its complaint, demonstrating the seriousness of the allegations. The church has requested a temporary injunction from the Federal Supreme Court as the process of filing a lawsuit requires time, and it is asking the court to issue a detailed order prohibiting the group from trespassing on church property and moving property. The lawsuit is aimed at protecting the rights of the church and its members and ensuring that the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions. This legal action is a significant development in the ongoing efforts of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church to protect its rights and ensure justice for its members. The church’s commitment to pursuing this lawsuit demonstrates its determination to defend its rights and ensure that the abuses committed against its members are thoroughly investigated and addressed.”

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Holds Groundbreaking Face-to-Face Meeting with TPLF

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Holds Groundbreaking Face-to-Face Meeting with TPLF Breaking News: Federal Government & TPLF Peace Agreement Committee Meet for Initial Consultation After Tigray War The Federal Government and TPLF Peace Agreement Committee held their first meeting at the Halala checkpoint, following Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s appointment. This was the first time Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held a face-to-face discussion with members of the TPLF since the outbreak of the Tigray War. The Tigray War was a conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia that took place in late 2020 and early 2021, leading to significant loss of life and displacement of people. The conflict arose from tensions between the federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which previously held a dominant position in Ethiopian politics. During the meeting, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held consultations with the Peace Agreement Implementation Steering Committee and reviewed the progress made towards implementing the peace agreement. TPLF representatives Tadesse Worede, Getachew Reda, and General Tekletsadik, among others, were in attendance. The Prime Minister’s team included Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonen, Redwan Hussein, and other members. The coordinators of the peace agreement committee also discussed further steps that need to be taken to ensure successful implementation. The meeting marked an important step towards peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia. Tags abiy ahmed ethiopia ethiopia news today ethiopian news