Taye Dendea, who previously served as the State Minister for Peace at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Peace and later as a senior official in the Ministry of Justice, was arrested under unclear circumstances earlier this week. Sources close to his family and legal team say he has been held incommunicado, with no formal charges brought against him and no access to legal counsel or medical care.
His detention has sparked fears among supporters and international observers that Dendea is being targeted for his outspoken criticism of government actions, particularly in relation to human rights abuses in the Oromia region and the lack of political inclusivity in Ethiopia’s transition process.
Dendea has long been an advocate for peaceful resolution of ethnic conflicts in Ethiopia and has used his platform to speak against both government and rebel violence. His arrest comes amid a wider crackdown on political dissent, journalists, and civil society actors as tensions escalate across several regions of the country.
The urgent appeal, now circulating widely on social media under the hashtag #SaveTayeDendea, calls on the Ethiopian government to:
Immediately disclose the whereabouts and condition of Taye Dendea
Grant him access to his family, legal representation, and medical care
Uphold his rights under both Ethiopian and international law
Ensure independent monitoring of his detention conditions
International human rights organizations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Committee to Protect Journalists have also issued statements demanding transparency and accountability.
As pressure mounts, diplomats and international partners are being urged to take immediate steps to raise Taye Dendea’s case through formal diplomatic channels and urge the Ethiopian government to uphold the rule of law.
This arrest comes amid a wider climate of intimidation in Ethiopia, where journalists, opposition figures, and human rights defenders face increasing risks. As space for political dissent narrows, the rule of law is increasingly under threat — raising alarm not just domestically, but internationally.
The appeal for Taye Dendea is not only about one man’s safety — it has become a test case for Ethiopia’s adherence to fundamental rights and its willingness to uphold constitutional protections. Without immediate intervention, observers fear that his case may end in tragedy.
The international community is being urged to act swiftly — through diplomatic channels and public pressure — to ensure Taye Dendea’s safe release and to reinforce the principle that no individual should be punished for advocating justice.
