The brutal rape and murder of a seven-year-old Ethiopian girl has ignited widespread outrage across the nation, with many criticizing the assailant's punishment as overly lenient. As of Wednesday, over 240,000 individuals had signed an online petition protesting the 25-year prison sentence handed down to the man convicted of killing Heaven Awot in a heinous attack last year.
Ethiopia's Minister for Women and Social Affairs, Ergogie Tesfaye, condemned the crime as 'horrible and inhumane' on her Facebook page, and stated that her ministry would closely monitor the case with judicial authorities. Getnet Baye, found guilty of murdering Heaven in Bahir Dar, the capital of the northern region of Amhara, is reportedly planning to appeal, according to Ethiopian media, though the date of the verdict was not specified.
The High Court in Bahir Dar determined that the child's death resulted from the defendant's violent actions and strangulation during the rape, as she was too young to resist the pressure, reported the state-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation. The Addis Standard revealed that Getnet was the family's landlord and perpetrated the attack in their home.
A Change.org petition, now with approximately 243,000 signatures, calls for a review of the sentence to accurately reflect the severity of the crimes and to ensure it is the maximum penalty permissible under Ethiopian law. It also demands 'robust legal protection' for Heaven's mother, who is reportedly facing threats for pursuing justice for her daughter.
The Ethiopian Women Lawyers' Association also criticized the sentence as insufficient, noting that murder carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment or even the death penalty. The association reported over 4,700 cases of gender-based violence last year in its annual report, highlighting the significant challenges women face in securing their safety and rights in Ethiopia.
However, the Amhara Judges Association expressed concerns about the intense public reaction to the verdict, emphasizing that the legal system should operate based on law and order, and that the matter is currently under judicial review. They cautioned that undue pressure on the judiciary could compromise judicial independence and the supremacy of law.
In a May report, Human Rights Watch highlighted that conflict-related sexual violence had reached 'alarming levels' in Ethiopia, particularly during the two-year war in Tigray. Despite the November 2022 peace deal ending the conflict, human rights abuses, including rape and other sexual assaults, continue in northern Ethiopia.
