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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EHRC Documents Systematic Attacks Against Orthodox Christian Communities in Ethiopia Summary of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission's Findings on Killings, Abductions, Forced Displacement, and Government Obligations The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has issued one of the most comprehensive official investigations to date documenting systematic attacks against Orthodox Christian communities in East Arsi Zone, Ethiopia. The Commission's findings describe a sustained pattern of killings, abductions, forced disappearances, attacks on churches, destruction of civilian property, and mass displacement targeting Orthodox Christian civilians because of their religious identity. According to the Commission, these violations have continued and expanded despite repeated investigations and official recommendations, leaving thousands of civilians living under persistent fear and insecurity. The findings summarized below reflect the principal documented facts, conclusions, and recommendations contained in the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission's investigative report. Findings of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission 1. Documented Killings The Commission documented the following killings of Orthodox Christian civilians in East Arsi Zone: • Merti — 117 killed • Shirka — 116 killed • Jeju — 101 killed • Robe — 47 killed • Guna — 26 killed • Honkolo Wabe — 20 killed • Munisa — 19 killed • Asko — 5 killed •Sire — 3 killed The Commission concludes that these killings form part of a broader pattern of serious human rights violations affecting Orthodox Christian communities throughout the area. 2. Religious-Based Abductions The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission also documents a widespread pattern of religiously targeted abductions of Orthodox Christians across East Arsi Zone. According to the Commission, many victims were held for ransom, some were killed even after ransom payments were made, while others remain missing. Documented Abductions • Jeju — 182 abducted 166 men and 16 women released following ransom payments • Robe — 156 abducted 141 released 15 remain missing • Shirka — 39 abducted Fate remains unknown • Merti — 29 abducted 27 released after ransom 2 remain missing • Munisa — 2 abducted Still missing Families reported paying approximately 500,000 Ethiopian Birr per captive in efforts to secure the release of loved ones. Despite these payments, numerous victims never returned. The Commission documents these incidents as part of a continuing pattern of kidnapping, extortion, enforced disappearance, and intimidation directed against civilians because of their religious identity. 3. Forced Displacement The Commission further reports that repeated attacks, insecurity, killings, abductions, and destruction of property have displaced thousands of Orthodox Christian families from their homes. Documented internally displaced persons include: • Jeju — 6,216 • Shirka — 3,746 • Asko — 2,133 • Robe — 1,270 • Merti — 1,036 • Munisa — 29 • Guna — 21 The Commission notes that women, children, and elderly persons remain among the most vulnerable populations affected by the ongoing displacement. 4. Destruction of Churches and Civilian Property The Commission documents widespread destruction affecting both religious institutions and civilian property, including: Churches burned, vandalized, looted, or forced to close. Homes destroyed or burned. Livestock stolen. Agricultural land abandoned because of insecurity. Communities prevented from returning to their homes. Historic Orthodox churches attacked and desecrated. The Commission concludes that the destruction of churches, homes, and livelihoods has significantly contributed to the humanitarian crisis affecting the region. Government Obligations Identified by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission emphasizes that both the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the relevant regional authorities have clear constitutional and international legal obligations to protect civilians and prevent these violations. According to the Commission, these obligations include: • Protecting the rights to life, liberty, and physical security. • Safeguarding freedom of religion and preventing religious discrimination. • Investigating killings, abductions, enforced disappearances, and other serious human rights violations. • Prosecuting perpetrators, including armed non-state actors. • Preventing forced displacement. • Providing humanitarian assistance and durable solutions for displaced communities. • Protecting homes, churches, livestock, farmland, and other civilian property. • Ensuring the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of displaced persons. • Exercising federal intervention where regional authorities are unable or unwilling to prevent or halt serious human rights violations. • The Commission further states that widespread or systematic attacks against civilians based on religion or ethnicity may contain indicators of crimes against humanity. Conclusion The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission's investigation documents a persistent pattern of serious human rights violations against Orthodox Christian communities in East Arsi Zone, Ethiopia, including killings, abductions, attacks on churches, destruction of civilian property, and mass displacement. The Commission's findings underscore the urgent need to implement its recommendations, protect vulnerable civilian populations, ensure accountability for perpetrators, and uphold Ethiopia's constitutional and international human rights obligations. The findings contained in this report deserve the careful attention of the Government of Ethiopia, the United States Government, the United Nations, the African Union, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), international human rights organizations, religious institutions, and all governments committed to protecting freedom of religion and fundamental human rights. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has provided an official and independent record of these documented violations. Allowing these findings to become merely another report without meaningful attention or action risks normalizing impunity, weakening respect for religious freedom, and undermining the international commitment to protect civilians from persecution based on their faith. The protection of human dignity, freedom of religion, and the rule of law is a shared responsibility of the international community. The Commission's findings should therefore serve not only as a record of documented violations but also as a call for sustained attention, accountability, and meaningful action to prevent further suffering and to ensure that all Ethiopians can live, worship, and participate in society free from fear, violence, and discrimination. 👇👇🖇️🔗 drive.google.com/file/d/138U… @WhiteHouse @StateDept @USEmbassyAddis @UAEthio @UNOSAPG @VP @realDonaldTrump @TheIRD, @StateDRL, @AsstSecStateAF, @richghazal, @markdtooley, @OrthodoxyNews, @USEmbassyAddis,@indefchristians, @RepJohnJames,@housegop, @Repsarajacobs, @YoungKimCA, @RepJimBaird, @CongressmanKean, @RepMillsPress, @RepGaramendi, @jakejsullivan, @IMFNews, @SecBlinken, @StateDept, @JusticeOfficeUS, @WorldBank, @WorldBankAfrica, @StateIRF, @USCIRF, @IrfSecretariat, @Sean_ADFIntl, @michaelgwaltz,@RepMarkWalker,@RepRileyMoore,@TomColeOk04,@HouseAppropsGOP