Addis Ababa - The United Nations human rights chief expressed concern on Tuesday over the deaths of at least seven people chanting anti-government slogans during a religious festival in Ethiopia last week. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the deaths occurred when security forces allegedly shot people chanting anti-government slogans. She added the UN was "concerned by the use of force by security officials against worshippers". Earlier this month, Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn announced Ethiopia would release some jailed politicians. They were soon joined by the Amharas, the country's second-largest ethnicity who predominate Woldiya and have long complained of marginalisation.

Source: Ethiopian News January 23, 2018 19:18 UTC