More than three months after an Ethiopian evangelist was killed by Muslim militants in March, there are still no signs of movement on bringing those responsible to justice, says International Christian Concern (ICC).
"We are alarmed to report that it has been more than three months since the killing occurred, but no one has yet been charged or imprisoned for the killing of evangelist Taddesse," ICC said in a statement.
The only action taken by the Ethiopian authorities so far is to detain the guard of the mosque where the murder occurred. He was later freed, however.
Despite calls from church leaders for the prosecution of those involved in the killing, the Muslim-dominated justice system in Jimma has refused to respond, ICC was told.
"By failing to prosecute the killers of Taddesse, Ethiopian authorities are violating their obligation to protect human rights and their commitment to do so in agreeing to international human rights instruments like the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
"They are also failing to abide by their own constitution which requires them to protect the human rights of their citizens," says ICC.
ICC warned the international community that the latest killing was a sign of worsening conditions for Christians in Ethiopia.
"The attack against evangelist Taddesse is not a single incident but it is a part of growing pattern of attacks against Christians and churches in Ethiopia since the May 2005 election in which Ethiopian government was challenged by strong opposition politicians," it said.
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