Forty-two countries of the world issued a joint statement to the United Nations expressing concern over the closure of civil space in Ethiopia.
According to the statement seen by APA on Monday, the countries cited restrictions on fundamental human rights including freedom of expression.
“We remain concerned about the challenging human rights situation in Ethiopia, including constraints on the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association,” the statement said.
The countries have expressed regret over recent intimidation and suspension of civil society organizations and bullying of independent media and journalists, calling for transparent investigations into such incidents.
The signatories said they “continue to be alarmed by the high number of human rights violations and abuses by both state and non-state actors,” as documented by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in its 2024 report.
They further expressed grave concern over “the significant increase in grave violations against children, including the killing and maiming of children, sexual violence and abduction of children,” citing the 2025 report of the UN Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict.
“We call on the Government of Ethiopia and all other actors to take concrete action to end ongoing human rights violations and abuses in areas of conflict, including in Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray,” the statement continued.
It urged an immediate end to “killings and injuries of civilians, torture, ill-treatment, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detentions, and attacks on civic infrastructure, as well as extreme levels of sexual and gender-based violence by different actors.”
The countries pressed authorities to uphold human rights nationwide, ensure justice and accountability, and adopt “a victim- and survivor-centered approach.”
MG/as/APA