Inside Story

What is triggering Ethiopia’s unrest?

Calls for international investigation emerge following deaths of more than 100 people in demonstrations last week.

Calls for an international investigation in Ethiopia have surfaced after more than 100 people were killed in demonstrations.

The violence has led to 400 deaths since November, 100 of them in the last week alone, according to human rights groups.

The Ethiopian government is accused of using excessive force in the Oromia and Amhara regions, where protesters have been calling for political reforms.

Human rights groups have called the response ruthless, while the UN wants to send international observers to investigate.

Ethiopia has denied that request, saying it alone is responsible for the security of its citizens.

But what can be done to ensure the Ethiopian government respects human rights?

Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault

Guests:

Getachew Reda – Ethiopian communications affairs minister

Felix Horne – Ethiopia researcher for Human Rights Watch

Ezekiel Gebissa – Profesor of History and African studies at Kettering University