 condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the latest wave of massacre of Orthodox Christians in Arsi){kind=link}
URGENT PRESS STATEMENT
To: The Hon. Ahmed Hussen, Chair
Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development Parliament of Canada
House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Cc: Members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development; Federal Members of Parliament
Re: ECNAS Condemns Targeted Violence Against Orthodox Christian Civilians in East Arsi, Ethiopia
Date: June 6, 2026
The Ethio-Canadian Network for Advocacy and Support (ECNAS) condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the latest wave of killings, displacement, destruction of homes, and attacks on places of worship targeting Orthodox Christian communities in the East Arsi Zone of the Oromia Region, Ethiopia.
Recent public reports indicate that the East Arsi Diocese of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church documented deadly attacks carried out by armed actors on May 31 and June 1, 2026, across rural villages in the Asko, Shirka, and Honqolo Wabe districts. According to Wazema, at least 13 Orthodox Christian followers were killed, more than 280 residents were displaced, and the historic Teleta Cheffa St. Gabriel Church was destroyed. Buildings belonging to Kara Kuftena Medhanealem Church were also targeted (wazema.substack.com). IDN-InDepthNews reports that “at least 37 Orthodox Christians were killed in Aleko Teleta district Tefa Kebele of Arsi zone, Oromia, on 1 June by an armed group, with others reported missing, while over 280 houses were burned down.” (indepthnews.net). The Reporter, citing a letter from the East Arsi Diocese to the Holy Synod, reported that nine Christians were killed on May 31 alone, 280 residents were evicted, and the 101-year-old Telata St. Gabriel Church was completely burned. The report also noted that casualty figures remain contested, with some sources claiming higher numbers (The Reporter Magazine).
These latest attacks are not isolated incidents. In March 2026, Borkena reported that 34 Orthodox Christians were killed over a four-day period in the Sherka and Merti districts, while others were injured, reported missing, or abducted, citing diocesan and church-affiliated sources (Borkena). Open Doors also reported that attacks in East Arsi in late-February claimed nearly 30 lives, including Orthodox Christians killed at a marketplace and inside a church. The organization further described a pattern of violence specifically targeting Orthodox Christian communities (Open Doors UK & Ireland).
ECNAS is gravely concerned that these repeated attacks appear to target civilians on the basis of their religious identity and, in many cases, their perceived ethnic identity. Such violence violates the most fundamental principles of human dignity, including the right to life, freedom of religion, equality before the law, and the duty of the state to protect civilians. Ethiopia’s Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, belief, and opinion, while the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights protects both the right to life and the freedom of religion or belief. (ConstitutionNet)
The primary responsibility of any sovereign government is to protect its citizens. The repeated failure to safeguard vulnerable civilians in East Arsi, despite recurring warnings and repeated attacks, represents a profound failure of state responsibility.
ECNAS therefore urges the Government of Canada and the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development to:
● Publicly condemn the targeted killings, displacement, destruction of homes, and attacks on Orthodox Christian places of worship in East Arsi.
● Call on the Government of Ethiopia to take immediate and effective measures to protect civilians, secure affected communities, prevent further attacks, and ensure the safe return of displaced residents.
● Urge Ethiopian federal and regional authorities to support a transparent, independent, and credible investigation into the attacks, including the identification and prosecution of perpetrators and any individuals or entities that enabled, incited, or failed to prevent these crimes.
● Support independent human rights monitoring and reporting in East Arsi and other affected areas of Oromia, including access for credible domestic and international human rights organizations.
● Ensure that Canada’s diplomatic engagement with Ethiopia places civilian protection, accountability, religious freedom, and the prevention of atrocity crimes at the center of bilateral discussions.
As Canadian citizens and residents, we believe that silence and quiet diplomacy are no longer sufficient. Canada must use its diplomatic voice to press the Ethiopian government to uphold its constitutional and international obligations, protect all civilians without discrimination, and bring perpetrators of these atrocities to justice.
At a time of profound polarization and suffering, ECNAS stands in unwavering solidarity with the victims in East Arsi and with all innocent civilians across Ethiopia whose lives, families, homes, and places of worship have been devastated by senseless violence.
True peace cannot be built on the graves of the innocent. ECNAS reaffirms its commitment to justice, truth, accountability, and the unwavering protection of human dignity for all Ethiopians.
Ethiopian Canadian Network for Advocacy and Support, ECNAS
Cc. Hon Anita Anand
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Canada
Parliament of Canada
House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
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