Arbitrary detention and bodily injury of students, parents, and teachers following forceful hoisting of the Oromia Regional flag in schools in Addis Ababa city
Executive Summary
The Amhara Association of America (AAA) has conducted an investigation on human rights violations perpetrated by government security officials on civilians following the forceful hoisting of the Oromia Region flag and singing of its anthem in different schools within the Addis Ababa city administration of Ethiopia. The AAA collected primary data from students, witnesses, and teachers in connection with incidents that transpired between December 1st and 15th, 2022 in various schools in Addis Ababa (capital city of Ethiopia). Based on the findings of the investigation, AAA has verified that:
209 teachers, students, and individuals were subject to arbitrary detentions
under allegations of organizing opposition;
64 students, teachers, and other individuals were confirmed to have sustained injuries by security personnel however estimates indicate hundreds of students were injured in various primary and secondary schools;
81 students from different schools received warnings from schools without viable justifications;
dozens of teachers were forced to resign from their work and considerable properties of schools were subject to damage following the unrest and
22 primary and secondary schools located in different sub-cities of Addis
Ababa were impacted by the policy imposed by the Addis Ababa city administration, however the policy is expected to expand across schools in the area. The findings of this investigative report reveal a pattern of targeted human rights abuses and identity-based discrimination perpetrated by the government administration in partnership with local enforcers.
