Press Release

ICHRRF Expresses Grave Concern Over Mass Killing of Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia; Calls for Independent Investigation and Protection of Religious Minorities

Washington, D.C. — The International Council for Human Rights and Religious Freedom (ICHRRF) expresses its grave concern and unequivocal condemnation of reports that more than 60 Orthodox Christian residents were killed in a series of violent attacks in Ethiopia’s Oromia region over the weekend of October 24–25, 2026. According to reports, armed assailants targeted Christian communities in three areas, burning approximately 20 homes and two churches and leaving families devastated by the loss of their loved ones, homes, and places of worship.

Reports cited in the media have attributed the attacks to armed groups, with allegations of involvement by the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) or other armed actors. The precise circumstances, perpetrators, and motives must be established through an independent and impartial investigation. Regardless of the identity of those responsible, the deliberate killing of civilians and the targeting of people because of their religious identity constitute grave violations of fundamental human rights and must not go unpunished.

ICHRRF extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. We stand in solidarity with the victims, survivors, and all members of Ethiopia’s Christian communities who face threats to their lives, religious freedom, and security.

ICHRRF Calls on Ethiopian Authorities to Protect Christian Communities and Ensure Accountability

Per Reuters, the reported killings are particularly alarming because they appear amid persistent insecurity and reports of violence against religious communities in Ethiopia. According to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s Holy Synod, the two attacks occurred on October 20 and October 24 in Merti and Shirka districts of the Arsi Zone in Oromia. The Church reported that 14 people were killed in the first attack and another 46 in the second, with more than 20 people seriously injured and approximately 20 homes burned.

ICHRRF is deeply concerned by allegations that members of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) were responsible. While regional authorities have attributed the attacks to the OLA, responsibility has not been independently established. A credible, impartial investigation is essential to identify the perpetrators and establish the facts without prejudice or political interference.

“The killing of more than 60 Orthodox Christians is a deeply disturbing tragedy and a grave affront to the fundamental right to life, human dignity, and freedom of religion or belief. No individual or community should face violence, intimidation, or death because of their religious identity. The international community must not remain indifferent when innocent civilians are killed and places of worship and homes are destroyed,” ICHRRF states.

Attacks on Religious Communities Must Not Go Unpunished

ICHRRF emphasizes that the protection of religious minorities is a fundamental responsibility of every government. The right to life and freedom of religion or belief are protected under international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

Article 6 of the ICCPR protects the inherent right to life, while Article 18 safeguards freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Deliberate attacks on civilians, including those motivated by religious hatred, demand urgent attention and effective action from national authorities and the international community.

Dr. Adityanjee, the ICHRRF president, stated that the targeting of Orthodox Christians must not be dismissed as an unavoidable consequence of Ethiopia’s wider political and armed conflict. Where individuals are attacked because of their religious identity, the circumstances demand particular scrutiny and accountability.

Dr. Adityanjee, further cautioned against allowing impunity to take root. Failure to investigate mass killings, protect vulnerable populations, and prosecute those responsible risks encouraging further violence and deepening religious and communal divisions.

ICHRRF Calls for Urgent Action

In light of these disturbing reports, the International Council for Human Rights and Religious Freedom calls upon:

1. The Government of Ethiopia to initiate a prompt, independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into the killings and publicly communicate its findings.

2. Federal and regional security authorities to take immediate and effective measures to protect Ethiopian Orthodox Christian communities, churches, clergy, and other vulnerable civilians in Oromia and elsewhere in the country.

3. The Ethiopian authorities and judicial institutions to identify, investigate, and prosecute all individuals responsible for the killings and the destruction of homes and religious properties, in accordance with international human rights standards and due process.

4. The United Nations and relevant international human rights mechanisms to closely monitor the situation, call for accountability, and engage with Ethiopian authorities to strengthen protections for religious minorities.

5. International religious freedom organizations and civil society groups to raise awareness of violence against religious communities in Ethiopia and advocate for effective preventive measures.

6. All religious and community leaders to reject incitement to religious hatred, promote peaceful coexistence, and encourage dialogue among Ethiopia’s diverse religious and ethnic communities.

Solidarity With the Victims and Their Families

ICHRRF expresses its deepest condolences to the families of those killed, wishes a full recovery to the injured, and expresses solidarity with those who have been displaced or deprived of their homes and livelihoods.

The organization recognizes the longstanding presence and heritage of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and the importance of safeguarding the rights of all religious communities in Ethiopia. Protecting Christians does not diminish the rights of people of other faiths; rather, equal protection under the law is essential to a peaceful and just society.

ICHRRF reiterates that the right to life and freedom of religion are universal human rights, not privileges granted at the discretion of political or armed authorities. No armed group, political movement, or state institution should be permitted to violate these rights with impunity.

The international community must act with urgency to prevent further loss of life, ensure justice for the victims, and help create conditions in which Christians, Muslims, and people of every faith can live without fear of persecution or violence.

The killing of innocent people because of their faith must never become normalized, ignored, or forgotten.

About ICHRRF

The International Council for Human Rights and Religious Freedom (ICHRRF) advocates for the protection of fundamental human rights, freedom of religion or belief, and the dignity and equal rights of individuals and communities worldwide.

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