Amnesty International has voiced serious concern over the arrest and continued detention of Dr. Daniel Fentaneh, calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
In a statement issued on June 30, Amnesty condemned the arbitrary detention of Dr. Daniel, a lecturer and final-year resident in gynecology and obstetrics at Bahir Dar University. He was apprehended by security forces on Wednesday, June 23, 2025, at around 1:30 p.m. in Bahir Dar.
Four days after his arrest, Dr. Daniel appeared before the Bahir Dar First Instance Court. During the hearing, authorities accused him of organizing and coordinating a healthcare workers’ strike allegedly linked to patient deaths. Court documents indicate that police claim Dr. Daniel was instrumental in “mobilizing medical professionals to participate in a strike that led to loss of lives.”
Amnesty International stated that Dr. Daniel’s detention is part of a broader trend of human rights violations in Ethiopia, where authorities routinely suppress freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly. The organization warned that this pattern undermines the rule of law and may reflect growing authoritarianism, including the prosecution of individuals for political reasons.
Dr. Daniel is also known for founding MAC-Ethiopia and for his role in managing the “Dr. Debol” Facebook page, a prominent platform for health professionals.
Following his detention, the Ethiopian Health Professional Movement (EHPM) issued a strong statement on June 20, urging the government to release Dr. Daniel immediately. “Our respected colleague, the courageous Dr. Daniel, has been unjustly arrested simply for standing up for his rights and those of Ethiopia’s health professionals,” the EHPM said. “This is more than an attack on one individual—it is an attack on freedom of expression, the dignity of the medical community, and the constitutional rights of all citizens.”
Human Rights Watch (HRW) echoed similar concerns in a June 25 report, urging Ethiopian authorities to reverse the suspension of a major health professionals’ organization and to address longstanding grievances within the public healthcare sector.
Laetitia Bader, deputy Africa director at HRW, criticized the government’s handling of the crisis: “Since May, Ethiopian authorities have relied on repressive tactics rather than constructively engaging with health workers’ demands for fair treatment and safety.”
The backdrop to Dr. Daniel’s arrest includes a nationwide healthcare workers’ strike demanding improved wages and working conditions. In a recent meeting with striking professionals, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed suggested that the movement may be politically motivated. He further alleged that some medical staff were deliberately sabotaging equipment to drive patients toward private clinics—a claim that has drawn widespread criticism. Despite acknowledging the salary concerns, the Prime Minister stated that wage adjustments are currently not feasible and urged health workers to take pride in their service.
Amnesty International has formally called on the Amhara Region Police Commission to release Dr. Daniel without delay or conditions.
