The Human Rights Crisis in Ethiopia, May 15, 2026
- Genocide Watch
- 22 hours ago
- 2 min read
Ethiopian Orthodox pilgrims rest at a campsite in Lalibela in the Amhara region, two months after the Ethiopian military regained control of the town from Fano militia, January 7, 2024.
©2024 Michele Spatari / AFP via Getty Images
Why the Human Rights Crisis in Ethiopia Matters
Public Conference, Kennedy Caucus Room, Russell US Senate Office Building, Capitol Hill.
May 15, 2026, 9:00 AM Eastern Time.
Washington, D.C. – This conference in English is open to anyone interested in peace, stability and democracy in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.
The forum will bring together community leaders, human rights advocates, and policy experts to discuss the deteriorating political and humanitarian situation in Ethiopia. The conference will highlight ongoing atrocities, systematic human rights violations, and the escalating persecution of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians and the continued suppression of fundamental freedoms.
This diverse group of participants intend to call for the immediate release of all political prisoners and detainees, like Tadios Tantu, Christian Tadele and hundreds of others.
Holding this conference at the United States Congress underscores the urgent need for greater international awareness and action to promote peace, justice, stability, religious freedom, and respect for international human rights laws and protocols in Ethiopia.
This conference seeks to amplify the voices of oppressed and marginalized Ethiopians by bringing urgent international attention to widespread human rights violations occurring throughout Ethiopia.
Special focus will be given to current systematic attacks and abuses targeting the Amhara community, the persecution of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, the genocide against Tigrayans, and the increasing suppression of political dissent and freedom of expression.
The conference will serve as a platform to discuss the urgent need for constitutional reform, national reconciliation and peace, democratic governance, and long-term peace and stability in Ethiopia.
Holding this conference at the United States Congress is both intentional and strategic. Congress has historically played an important role in addressing international human rights crises and shaping U.S. foreign policy toward Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.
We encourage all Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia to attend and stand in solidarity with the victims of violence, persecution, and injustice.
Mesfin Mekonen, an Ethiopian American, Author of Washington Update, and a champion of human rights and constitutional democracy in Ethiopia and Aklog Birara, Ethiopian American, Vice Chairman of Global Alliance for the Rights of Ethiopians, commentator on political economy, author and former Senior Advisor with the World Bank express our sincere gratitude to Senator Chris Van Hollen and his dedicated staff for their generous assistance in helping secure a meeting space at the historic Kennedy Caucus Room in the Russell Senate Office Building.
Registration: Please register in advance via Eventbrite.
