ECHO Condemns Repeated Attacks on Orthodox Christians in Arsi Zone and Calls for Immediate Civilian Protection and Accountability.

Empowering Civil Societies and Humanitarian Outreach (ECHO) is deeply concerned with and strongly condemns the latest killings, injuries, displacement of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, and destruction of civilian property in the Arsi Zone of Ethiopia’s Oromia Region.

These attacks are particularly alarming because they are part of a recurring pattern of violence against Orthodox Christians in the area, rather than isolated incidents. ECHO issued a similar statement on June 2, 2026, condemning attacks against civilians in the same area and calling for immediate protection and accountability. The recurrence of such violence only months later raises serious questions about the measures taken to protect communities and prevent further attacks.

According to the October 26 statement of the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, 60 Orthodox Christian faithful were killed in attacks in Merti and Shirka woredas: 14 people on October 20 and another 46 on October 24. The Synod also reported that more than 20 people were seriously injured and 20 homes were burned. Other reports indicate that residents have been displaced and communities continue to live in fear.

The primary responsibility for protecting civilians rests with the government. The government has the responsibility to safeguard the rights to life and freedom of religion or belief, take reasonable measures to prevent foreseeable violence, protect vulnerable religious communities, investigate unlawful killings, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure effective remedies for victims.

Despite documented patterns of recurrent violence and heightened and foreseeable threats to Orthodox Christians in Arsi and certain other areas in Oromia, available evidence indicates the lack of effective, targeted protective measures or a prompt, adequate, and effective response to safeguard the affected communities. Such persistent failures to protect civilians against recurring and foreseeable violence raise serious concerns regarding the government’s response and the state’s compliance with its obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law.

Furthermore, the persistent lack of credible, independent investigations and accountability for recurring violence raises serious concerns about a prevailing climate of impunity and the risk of perpetuating cycles of violence. Reports of mutual accusations between government authorities and non-state armed groups indicate a state of blame-shifting without independent investigation, leaving civilians in perpetual fear of unidentified perpetrators. Such violence must not become another tragedy that is condemned today and forgotten tomorrow.

ECHO expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and expresses solidarity with all affected civilians. Beyond the tragic loss of life, these attacks have left families displaced, injured, traumatized, and deprived of essential shelter and security. ECHO calls for immediate, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to affected communities, including emergency medical care, food, temporary shelter, psychosocial support, and assistance for displaced families, with particular attention to children, women, older persons, and other vulnerable individuals.

Furthermore, ECHO is deeply concerned that repeated attacks against civilians risk further deepening fear, mistrust, displacement, and division at a time when Ethiopia urgently needs peace and national healing.

ECHO Calls Upon

The Ethiopian government to:

1. Take immediate and effective measures to protect civilian lives, prevent foreseeable attacks, and guarantee the safety of Orthodox Christians and other vulnerable communities in the Arsi Zone and other areas;

2. Exercise due diligence to prevent violence by non-state actors and safeguard freedom of religion or belief;

3. Facilitate independent, transparent, and impartial international investigations into unlawful killings, to establish the facts, identify those responsible, and ensure accountability through lawful and transparent means;

4. Provide immediate and adequate reparations and psychosocial support to the families of the victims and guarantee their unimpeded humanitarian access.

National stakeholders, including religious institutions, civil society organizations, political actors, community leaders, the media, and other national stakeholders, to:

1. Take coordinated action to prevent further violence, promote interfaith and intercommunal dialogue, counter incitement to hatred, and foster peaceful coexistence;

2. Support affected communities through humanitarian assistance, including coordination of emergency relief, medical assistance, psychosocial support, and assistance for displaced families, prioritizing the most vulnerable;

3. Document violations and advocate for independent investigations, accountability, and access to justice;

4. Support civilian protection and early warning by identifying and communicating credible threats to appropriate authorities and humanitarian actors.

The United Nations, the African Union, international human rights bodies, and the broader international community to:

1. Take coordinated measures to prevent further attacks against civilians and protect vulnerable communities;

2. Support an independent, impartial fact-finding mechanism to establish the circumstances of attacks and identify perpetrators;

3. Support credible prosecutions, appropriate international accountability mechanisms, and sustained human rights monitoring;

4. Increase humanitarian assistance for victims, survivors, and displaced families, including food, shelter, medical treatment, and psychosocial support;

5. Take appropriate diplomatic and other actions to ensure that the Ethiopian government takes effective measures to meet its governmental responsibilities to protect civilians and comply with the international human rights and humanitarian treaties to which Ethiopia is a party.

Empowering Civil Societies and Humanitarian Outreach (ECHO)

Silver Spring, Maryland