Human and Democratic Rights Violations at Mekelle University: A Crisis of Governance and Accountability

The recent events at Mekelle University paint a harrowing picture of repression, mismanagement, and disregard for human and democratic rights. Testimonies from students reveal not only the violence they have endured but also systemic issues that have contributed to the deterioration of campus life. What began as peaceful protests against declining conditions has escalated into brutal crackdowns, highlighting the urgent need for intervention at both regional and international levels.

A Testimony from the Ground

A student from Mekelle University provided an account of the challenges faced by the campus community. According to the testimony, the problems began with the university’s decision in September 2024 to establish its own catering enterprise, monopolizing food services and displacing private cafes. Initially, external traders managed these services, ensuring at least a basic standard of provision. However, since the enterprise's takeover, food quality has drastically declined.

One incident exemplifies this deterioration: students were served sandy loaves of injera (local bread), which resulted in foodborne illnesses requiring surgical intervention for over seven students on the Adi Haqi campus alone. Despite repeated complaints, no meaningful corrective action was taken. Frustrations culminated in a student rally, during which officials dismissed grievances with threats. Attempts to involve the media were met with violent repression by campus security, city police, and military forces.

Escalation of Violence

Security forces used excessive force against protesting students, including beatings and arrests. Among those targeted was a student who was beaten on the head by a Crime Prevention Officer, leaving him incapacitated for a week without food or water. Women were not spared in these assaults, with security forces storming female dormitories, beating and injuring students, including those with preexisting medical conditions. The testimony also recounts that students were forcibly gathered in the campus stadium, where they were beaten, threatened, and eventually loaded onto vehicles to detention.

Dozens of students remain in detention, and at least two students were reported dead, after being arrested en route to church. The whereabouts of many detained students remain unknown, leaving families and peers in a state of anguish.

Structural Mismanagement and Exploitation

Beyond the violence, the testimony highlights a series of structural issues exacerbating the crisis. Despite a federal government decision to increase the daily student expenses for lunch from 22 birr to 100 birr, the campus administration has failed to deliver improvements. Bread portions have been reduced rather than expanded, and spoiled food continues to be served. Students accuse the university administration and the catering enterprise of corruption and mismanagement.

The campus student union, which should advocate for the student body, is described as complicit in the repression. According to the testimony, student union members collaborated with security forces, pointing out students to be beaten and arrested. This betrayal has further deepened students' mistrust and frustration.

Human Rights and Legal Violations

The events at Mekelle University represent a flagrant violation of constitutional and international protections. Article 30 of Ethiopia’s Constitution guarantees citizens the right to peaceful assembly, demonstration, and petition. These rights were clearly denied to the students, who faced violence for simply voicing legitimate grievances. Furthermore, Ethiopia’s obligations under international law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, prohibit arbitrary detention, cruel treatment, and suppression of peaceful protests.

The assaults, arrests, and detentions also violate fundamental principles of academic freedom and institutional autonomy. Universities are meant to be bastions of free thought and expression, yet Mekelle University has become a site of repression and fear.

The Call for Action

This crisis demands urgent attention and accountability. The Tigray Interim Regional Administration must:

1. Launch an Independent Investigation: Establish an impartial body to investigate the violence, detentions, and corruption allegations at Mekelle University. Those responsible for human rights violations, including security forces and university officials, must be held accountable.

2. Ensure Immediate Release of Detained Students: All students arbitrarily detained must be released without delay. Their safety and well-being must be guaranteed.

3. Address Structural Issues: The university administration must reform its governance and restore services to an acceptable standard. 

4. Protect Academic Freedoms: The government and university leadership must affirm their commitment to academic freedom and student rights, ensuring that campuses remain spaces for learning, expression, and dialogue.

The Role of the International Community

International actors must step in to ensure justice and accountability. Human rights organizations, diplomatic missions, and academic networks should:

• Advocate for the protection of students’ rights and freedoms.

• Monitor the situation at Mekelle University and document violations.

A Crisis of Governance

The tragic events at Mekelle University reflect broader challenges. When institutions tasked with educating and empowering the youth become sites of repression and violence, the long-term consequences for democracy, stability, and social cohesion are profound. Resolving this crisis is not only a matter of justice for the students of Mekelle University but also a critical step in safeguarding Tigray's future.

The Tigray Interim Administration, university administrators, and international stakeholders must act swiftly to restore the rule of law, protect fundamental rights, and ensure that such incidents are never repeated. Without accountability, the erosion of human rights and democratic principles will continue unchecked, jeopardizing the aspirations of an entire generation.