Utte Kedir, 17, was born and raised in Guji Zone, Wadera Woreda, in a place called Laga Boko. He was a farmer and a married father of one son.
On October 5, 2023, during a clash between the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), in Laga Boko, three ENDF members were killed. Their comrades buried the dead bodies at a local graveyard. While returning to their camp from the funeral, these forces encountered Utte on the road. Angry about the death of their friends, the ENDF soldiers beat him severely. After letting him go, they fired at the unarmed Utte, striking him in the back. He died instantly.
Utte was a civilian leading a normal life and had no relationship with the OLA. Unfortunately, Utte’s death left his wife a widow and his only son an orphan. Given that they have no other source of income, their fate looks bleak.
Killing a civilian who has no intention of inflicting any harm on the security forces out of anger is an egregiously irresponsible act. It is unacceptable that the security forces terrorize and kill the civilians they are tasked with keeping safe and secure.
International Law
The right to life has been acknowledged as a fundamental human right by a host of international human rights conventions to which Ethiopia is a party, including the UDHR, ICCPR and ACHPR, and the FDRE Constitution. However, the security forces mercilessly murdered Utte without cause. The ENDF personnel’s irresponsible action is a clear violation of international human rights instruments and the Ethiopian Constitution. Accordingly, OLLAA urges that these forces be prosecuted and that the government of Ethiopia be held accountable.