Norway must not return her.

Re: Urgent Appeal for the Protection of Ms. Yeshihareg Bekele

Dear Minister Emilie Enger Mehl,

We are members of the Federation of Amhara Associations in Europe. It has come to our attention that Ms. Yeshihareg Bekele, who is currently residing in Norway, is facing deportation to Ethiopia.

Ms. Bekele is a well-known critic of the oppression and military campaign against the Amhara people of Ethiopia by the current regime. As a member of the Executive Committee of the Hibre Amhara Association in Norway — an organisation that is a voice for the voiceless of oppressed people of Amhara ethnicity that are facing a genocidal campaign and fighting for their very existence — Ms. Bekele is dedicated to advocating against the gross human rights violations of the Amhara people and campaigning for promoting democracy and human rights. She is known for organising global demonstrations to draw attention to the ongoing atrocities, and she has been playing a crucial role in uniting Amhara associations across the world, including Europe, America, Canada, Australia, and beyond.

Her open campaign and outspoken nature against the Ethiopian government’s actions against the Amhara people, the ethnic cleansing and the gross human rights violations makes her a prime target for the government — that is known for its arbitrary arrests and executions of its critics, especially of those of Amhara descent.

Given the track record of the Ethiopian government’s crackdown on any criticism, political opposition and the civic society who speak up against the open military campaign against the Amhara people, deporting her to Ethiopia is simply handing her over to the dictatorial regime that is known for its inhumane treatments of the Amhara people in concentration camps. The regime’s gross human rights violations include sexual violence, torture and even execution.

We, on behalf of Ms. Bekele, appeal to the government of Norway to withdraw its decision to hand her over to the regime knowing clear facts of the regime’s actions against the Amhara people. We urge you to uphold your international obligations to protect vulnerable individuals and human rights activists like Ms. Bekele.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.