Throughout the month of February 2023, the Ethiopian government’s security forces, including the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), continued a widespread campaign of violence against the Oromo population.
The below list highlights the 19 Oromo civilians confirmed by OLLAA or through mass media reports as having been extrajudicially killed in February 2023, all at the hands of government forces. It is important to note that this list is an incomplete accounting of those killed extrajudicially in February 2023 as it does not include victims of mass murder, those whose names are unknown, or whose reported deaths OLLAA’s staff was unable to verify independently by the time of publication. It is likely the true number of extrajudicial killings is much greater than the number reported below.
For example, during the month of February, OLLAA’s staff received numerous reports of human rights abuses–including 49 additional reports of extrajudicial killings, reports of the destruction of property, and two reports of sexual and gender-based violence–perpetrated against Oromos that have not been independently verified as of the time of publication of this report.
Confirmed Extrajudicial Executions in February 2023
- February 1
- Gabre Balcha (West Shewa, Gindeberet, Guduru)
- Badhu Golalcha (East Guji, Liban, Negele)
- February 2
- Gudata Kebede (West Shewa, Ilfeta, Sinan Iaku)
- Chala, Mamula (East Wallaga, Gobu Sayyo, Anno)
- Tufa Bissa (East Shewa, Bosat, Goda Dera)
- Chana Dedecha Dido, (East Guji, Liban, Negele)
- Darara Waree (East Guji, Liban, Ardoti)
- February 3
- Yami Mamo (East Shewa, Bosat, Goda Dera)
- Hawaso Oda (East Shewa, Liban Chuka, Wachu)
- Ibrahim Hassen (West Hararghe, Ciro, Chafe Suki)
- February 4
- Kalil Esa (West Wallaga, Babo Gambel, Babo Gambel)
- February 11
- Aga Tamiru (West Guji, Malka Sodda, Daya Dawa)
- February 13
- Gamachu Mutiku and Diriba Tamiru (East Wallaga, Jimma Arjo, Hara)
- February 20
- Bayissa Gonfa (West Shewa, Qarsa, Mugayo)
- February 23
- Hasan Dhedde (West Wallaga, Qondala, Kamise)
OLLAA urges the Ethiopian government to fulfill its moral imperative, as well as its legal duty, to protect and defend the human rights and security of all of its citizens, including by launching independent investigations into all credible reports of violations of their right to life. Furthermore, OLLAA calls on the international community to strongly condemn brutal incidents and to launch independent investigations into the reports of human rights violations and injustices against the Oromo people in Ethiopia. In the name of peace and justice, we call on all parties to act swiftly.