urged to consider medical staff’s strike demands and release detained professionals

International on Friday called upon Ethiopian authorities to negotiate with striking medical professionals and release those detained for peaceful protests, urging the country to protect the right to access healthcare. The rights group condemned the detention of healthcare professionals at the Addis Ababa Police Commission headquarters for demanding adequate pay and conducive working conditions as “shameful and deeply troubling.” Amnesty International Regional Director for East and Southern Africa Tigere Chagutah stated: “Authorities must urgently come to the negotiation table, with the aim of resolving outstanding issues and allowing resumption of healthcare services.” Amid mounting unrest, healthcare workers across Ethiopia launched a nationwide strike on May 13, seeking improved pay, safer working conditions, and an end to systemic neglect of the healthcare sector. However, state authorities have responded with arrests, intimidation, and threats of professional license revocation. The ongoing strike has entered its second week, severely impacting access to public healthcare services across Ethiopia. According to a list sent by an online movement of healthcare professionals to Amnesty International, at least 121 professionals have been detained since the strike began. Eyewitness accounts from family members and legal representatives suggest that these detentions occurred without due process, with police reportedly failing to provide reasons or warrants. Several homes were raided under the pretext of searching for weapons and explosives, though only electronic devices were seized. Ethiopia urged to consider medical staff’s strike demands and release detained professionalsNew