European Union

European Union calls for an independent investigation into the recent killings of at least 140 protesters in Ethiopia

The European Parliament strongly condemned the recent use of violence by the security forces and the increased number of cases of human rights violations in Ethiopia.

Deploring the recent use of excessive force by security forces in Ethiopia, the Parliament called for a credible, transparent and independent investigation into the killings of at least 140 protesters and into other alleged human rights violations in connection with the protest movement after the May 2015 federal elections in the country.

The Press Release also called on the Ethiopian authorities to stop suppressing the free flow of information, to guarantee the rights of local civil society and media and to facilitate access throughout Ethiopia for independent journalists and human rights monitors.

The EU, as the single largest donor, should ensure that EU development assistance is not contributing to human rights violations in Ethiopia.