cap liberté de conscience

Drone Attacks on Christian Monks, Nuns, and Monasteries in Ethiopia: A Call for International Attention The American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee condemns the continued reports of attacks affecting Christian religious communities, including monks, nuns, churches, and monasteries in Ethiopia. Under Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion or against civilians may constitute war crimes. Reports of attacks affecting places of worship and religious communities therefore warrant prompt, independent, and impartial investigation to establish the facts and ensure accountability where violations of international law are found. A report published by Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany's international broadcaster, cited eyewitness accounts and statements from monastery officials regarding a reported drone strike on Abune Aregawi and Saint Arsema Unity Monastery in Bore District, South Wollo Zone, Amhara Region. The reported incident represents a deeply troubling development that requires urgent international attention. According to accounts reported by Deutsche Welle and statements from monastery representatives, the reported drone strike resulted in: • The deaths of two nuns. • Injuries to 11 additional nuns and monks. • A total of 14 people reportedly affected by the attack. • Several victims reportedly suffering serious injuries, including severe bodily trauma. The reported attack also caused extensive damage to the monastery complex. According to the report: • The monastery's work facilities were completely destroyed. • Stored grain supplies were ruined. • Parts of the church compound were damaged. • The monastery's water tank and water-supply infrastructure were severely affected. Religious institutions, places of worship, and civilian communities must be protected during armed conflict. Any attack resulting in civilian deaths, injuries to religious personnel, or destruction of religious and cultural sites requires an independent, impartial investigation and accountability consistent with international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Call for International Action The American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee calls upon the United States Government, the European Union, the Vatican, global Christian and interfaith organizations, the United Nations, the International Criminal Court (where jurisdictional requirements are met), international religious freedom advocates, and human rights organizations to urgently examine these reports and take meaningful action. We call on: • The United States Government and the European Union to use diplomatic channels to demand the protection of civilians, religious communities, and places of worship, and to support credible investigations into reported violations. • The Vatican and global Christian organisations to raise awareness, advocate for the protection of Ethiopia's Christian communities, and stand in solidarity with affected monks, nuns, clergy, and worshippers. • The United Nations, international human rights organisations, and relevant African regional human rights mechanisms to independently investigate reported attacks, document violations, and support accountability for those responsible where evidence establishes violations of international law. • Religious freedom organisations and faith leaders worldwide to defend the right of Ethiopia's Christian communities to worship safely and without fear of violence, and to speak out against reported ongoing attacks affecting Christians, clergy, monks, nuns, and religious institutions. The international community cannot ignore reports that raise serious concerns about the protection of civilians, places of worship, and fundamental human dignity in the context of Ethiopia's ongoing conflict. International partners providing financial or development assistance should continue to emphasise compliance with international humanitarian law, protection of civilians, and accountability for violations. Reports of violence against civilians, religious institutions, monks, and nuns demand serious international scrutiny. International assistance should be accompanied by continued support for accountability, respect for human rights, and protection of fundamental freedoms. The protection of human life, freedom of religion or belief, and Ethiopia's historic religious heritage remains a shared global responsibility. The international community must stand firmly for accountability, justice, and the dignity of all civilians affected by conflict. The American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee Urges: • Immediate international attention. • An independent, impartial investigation into the reported attacks. • Concrete measures to prevent further attacks against civilians, monks, nuns, churches, monasteries, and other places of worship. We further urge the United Nations, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Committee of the Red Cross, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the African Union, and other relevant international and regional bodies to support prompt, impartial fact-finding regarding the reported drone strike on Kidist Arsema Monastery in South Wollo and any other reported attacks on religious sites, recognizing that accountability is essential to protecting religious freedom and civilian lives. 🔗👇🏻 facebook.com/share/p/1826AhL… @WhiteHouse @StateDept @USEmbassyAddis @UAEthio @UNOSAPG @VP @realDonaldTrump @TheIRD, @StateDRL, @Pontifex , @richghazal, @markdtooley, @OrthodoxyNews,@USEmbassyAddis @indefchristians,@RepJohnJames, @housegop, @Repsarajacobs, @YoungKimCA, @RepJimBaird, @CongressmanKean, @RepMillsPress, @RepGaramendi, @jakejsullivan, @IMFNews, @SecBlinken, @StateDept, @JusticeOfficeUS, @WorldBank, @WorldBankAfrica, @StateIRF, @USCIRF, @IrfSecretariat, @Sean_ADFIntl, @michaelgwaltz,@RepMarkWalker,@RepRileyMoore,@TomColeOk04,@HouseAppropsGOP