Stockholm, May 1, 2025 — On International Labor’ Day, Ethiopians and human rights supporters marched through central Stockholm in a large-scale protest against the Ethiopian government led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The demonstration aimed to highlight severe human rights abuses in Ethiopia, including the killings of civilians, arbitrary detention of political prisoners, the targeting of journalists, and the use of drone attacks on civilian areas.
Gathering at Karlavägen 32, the demonstrators waved Ethiopian flags and displayed signs with messages like “Stop Killing Civilians,” “Free Journalists,” “Stop Drone Attacks,” and “Sweden: Stop Supporting Abiy Ahmed.” Chants echoed through the city center as protesters called for international accountability and an end to what they described as systemic state violence in Ethiopia.
The demonstrators delivered a strong message to international actors, calling for:
- An independent international investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ethiopia.
- Targeted sanctions against Ethiopian officials implicated in rights violations.
- An immediate halt to financial and military support that could be aiding the Abiy government’s crackdown on civilians.
- The release of all political prisoners and detained journalists.
Since taking office in 2018, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed — initially celebrated for his peace deal with Eritrea — has presided over a dramatic collapse in Ethiopia’s human rights record. While early reforms raised hopes, many have since been reversed. Key developments include:
1. Civilian Killings and Ethnic Violence
- In regions such as Oromia, Amhara, and previously Tigray, Ethiopian federal forces and allied militias have been accused of massacring civilians, often under the pretext of counter-insurgency operations.
- UN reports and rights groups have documented summary executions, village burnings, and displacement of millions.
- Victims often belong to ethnic communities — especially Oromo and Amhara — caught in the crossfire or deliberately targeted.
2. Use of Drone Warfare Against Civilians
- The Ethiopian government has reportedly acquired drones from Turkey, Iran, and the UAE.
- These drones have been used to bomb alleged rebel positions — but in multiple instances, have struck markets, schools, funerals, and residential areas.
- Human rights organizations have called these attacks indiscriminate and potentially constituting war crimes.
- In December 2023, a drone strike on a town in Oromia reportedly killed 80 civilians, including children — drawing global condemnation.
3. Mass Arrests and Political Repression
- Thousands of political activists and opposition figures have been detained without trial, including prominent leaders from the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and National Movement of Amhara (NaMA).
- The government has used broad anti-terror laws to justify crackdowns, often with no evidence presented in court.
- Detainees are often held incommunicado and subjected to torture, according to leaked reports by former inmates and local monitors.
4. Crackdown on Journalists and Media Outlets
- Independent journalism has been virtually extinguished in Ethiopia. Several outlets have been shut down, and foreign correspondents expelled.
- As of April 2025, over 40 journalists are reportedly imprisoned — the highest in Africa.
- Many have been charged under vague national security laws, with no access to fair legal process.
5. Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis
- Over 4 million people remain internally displaced due to violence and conflict.
- Humanitarian agencies face government obstruction, with aid convoys blocked, permits delayed, and access denied in conflict zones.
