Ziyad Haji, 35, was mercilessly murdered by the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) in Arsi Zone, Merti Woreda, Abomsa Town.
Ziyad was born and raised in Merti Woreda, Moleme Seka Village. He was a father of three: a 7-year-old son and two daughters (ages 5 and 1). He graduated with a diploma from the TVET College of Abomsa Branch, which provides technical and vocational education and training. He was working as a civil servant for the Water Service Office in Abomsa Town.
The closest relative who spoke with OLLAA staff stated that on August 7, 2023, at approximately 7:20 p.m. (EAT), Ziyad had been told to stop by ENDF forces as he made his way home. He couldn’t pay attention because he was on the phone with his wife, so he kept going. After that, the ENDF forces abruptly halted him and started shooting. They fired six times on an unarmed civilian who hadn’t committed any violence.
Ziyad was not the only victim. A mother passing by begged the forces not to fire at Ziyad, knowing both his innocence and goodness but became a target herself. While before the officers, she was holding her child. The ENDF forces, ignoring her pleas, fired at her, critically injuring her right arm. The woman was carried to the hospital in Abomsa Town by the community. However, because the damage was too serious for them to treat, they sent her to the hospital in Adama City. According to our informant, she is currently receiving medical care and is in critical condition.
To make things worse, the ENDF blocked Ziyad’s family from picking up his body until Tuesday morning. Though they don’t know why the forces did this, our informant considers this an especially heinous act. The authorities should have, at the least, respect for the dead body and allow his family to mourn properly. However, the ENDF who were stationed in the town seem committed to similar atrocities. Please read the following HOO report for more: https://ollaa.org/government-security-forces-killed-a-young-man-and-displayed-his-body-on-the-street/.
Ethiopian National Defense Forces are supposed to protect the peace and security of their citizens – not to terrorize them. Sadly, no one questioned these forces or held them responsible.
Justice must be served!
Ziyad provided for his family with his monthly salary as a government employee. He was the sole breadwinner. Our informant indicates that he passed away leaving his family in a rental home. Having no other means of income, his widow and children’s situation is likely to be dire.
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 extrajudicially murdered Ziyad without cause. No one even brings these forces before the law. The security 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.