Amnesty International has called on Ethiopian authorities to “urgently engage in negotiations” with striking health workers and “unconditionally” release those who have been detained. The organization warned that the ongoing strike has “severely restricted” patients’ access to healthcare services across the country.

In a statement issued on May 24, Amnesty International highlighted the worsening crisis, stating, “With no resolution in sight, the strike has entered its second week, causing massive disruption to the provision of much-needed healthcare services across the country. The government must not further prolong the crisis, which has severely impacted patients’ right to access healthcare. Instead, both the government and healthcare professionals must collectively and constructively engage in negotiations to resolve this dispute,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.

The organization also called for an “end to the harassment and intimidation of doctors” and reiterated its demand for the “unconditional release” of all health workers detained in connection with the strike. It urged authorities to “urgently come to the negotiating table to address outstanding issues and restore healthcare services.”

Amnesty International stated that it had received a list of 212 medical workers detained across the country since the strike began on May 12. According to interviews conducted with family members and lawyers, the detainees were held without being informed of the reasons for their detention. Reports also indicate that police carried out searches for weapons and explosives without a court order, confiscating only electronic devices.

The organization independently verified that 20 healthcare professionals were being held at the Addis Ababa police headquarters. Amnesty confirmed that its findings were based on consultations with legal experts, families of detained health workers, and court documents.

Among those detained is Dr. Mahlet Guuesh, a pathologist who was not actively employed at the time of the strike. Dr. Mahlet had recently participated in a BBC podcast, where she shared her experiences, just days before her arrest.

“The detention of at least 20 health workers at the Addis Ababa Police Commission headquarters for demanding fair pay and better working conditions is both shameful and deeply concerning. The baseless accusations of inciting violence by the police represent a troubling pattern in which arbitrary arrests are used to silence dissent and intimidate those advocating for their rights,” Chagutah added.

Experts noted that the government’s failure to address health workers’ demands within the 30-day deadline led to the strike, which began on May 12.

Despite their crucial role in safeguarding public health, Ethiopian health workers earn an average of $80 per month, while nurses, health officers, and other professionals receive even lower wages, Amnesty reported.

In the same statement, Amnesty urged development partners to provide bilateral support to strengthen Ethiopia’s healthcare sector and protect the rights of health workers participating in peaceful protests. It stressed, “The authorities must take urgent steps to ensure that maximum resources are allocated to essential public services such as healthcare, in accordance with their international human rights obligations.”