The brutal rape and murder of a seven-year-old Ethiopian girl has ignited widespread outrage across the country, with many condemning the 25-year prison sentence given to her assailant as far too lenient.
Over 240,000 people as of Wednesday had signed an online petition protesting the punishment handed to the man convicted of killing Heaven Awot in an attack last year.
Ethiopia’s Minister for Women and Social Affairs, Ergogie Tesfaye, called the crime “horrible and inhumane” on her Facebook page and promised that her ministry would closely monitor the case with judicial authorities.
Getnet Baye, found guilty of Heaven’s murder in Bahir Dar, the capital of Amhara, is reportedly planning to appeal the verdict, though the exact date remains unspecified.
The High Court in Bahir Dar determined that Heaven died due to violence and strangulation during the assault, as she was too young to endure the brutality, according to the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation.
The petition on Change.org, now with around 243,000 signatures, demands a reassessment of the sentence to “reflect the gravity of his crimes” and ensure it is the maximum allowed by Ethiopian law.
It also calls for enhanced legal protection for Heaven’s mother, who has reportedly faced threats while seeking justice for her daughter.
The Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association criticized the sentence as insufficient, emphasizing that murder in Ethiopia can be punished with life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Last year alone, the association reported over 4,700 cases of gender-based violence, highlighting the severe challenges women face in securing their safety and rights.
However, the Amhara Judges Association expressed concerns over the intense public reaction to the verdict, stressing that the legal system should function based on law and order, and warning that undue pressure could compromise judicial independence and the rule of law.
Human Rights Watch has also raised alarms about conflict-related sexual violence in Ethiopia, particularly during the two-year war in Tigray, indicating that human rights abuses, including rape, continue in northern Ethiopia despite a peace agreement reached in November 2022.
Background
Heaven Awot was subjected to sexual violence, mutilation, and ultimately killed by her mother’s landlord, Getnet Baye, last August in the northwestern city of Bahir Dar, located in the Amhara region.
The tragic case of Heaven, a young girl who was brutally raped and murdered, serves as a painful reminder of the widespread suffering caused by the two-year conflict in Tigray, where countless women and girls have endured similar horrors.
The war not only claimed her life but also led to the fragmentation of her family. Heaven’s father, an ethnic Tigrayan, was imprisoned for months without charges during the height of the conflict. Upon his release, he fled Amhara for Tigray, fearing ongoing persecution.
Ms. Abekyelesh, a committed nurse, was left to raise her daughters, Heaven and her younger sister, on her own. She had a good relationship with their landlord, who lived in the same compound, which gave her a sense of security for her children. Her connection with the landlord’s wife further contributed to her trust in their living environment.
On the day of the tragedy, Ms. Abekyelesh was at work, leaving Heaven in the care of her aunt. When Heaven did not return from the bathroom, the aunt searched for her but could not find her, fearing that Getnet, the landlord, had taken her.
Later that day, Heaven’s mutilated body was found outside their home, showing signs of strangulation. Ms. Abekyelesh believes the perpetrator discarded her daughter’s body there.
This devastating incident made her question the safety of their homes, as it seemed impossible to protect their children while needing to work.
In the months following Heaven’s death, Ms. Abekyelesh faced ongoing threats after Getnet escaped from custody during an incursion by local militias.
For nearly a month, he eluded capture, during which time Ms. Abekyelesh had to go into hiding, fearing for her and her surviving daughter’s safety. She felt that the authorities did not act with urgency in apprehending Getnet, forcing her to change residences and jobs multiple times.
Ms. Abekyelesh feels betrayed by the justice system, believing that the 25-year sentence given to Getnet is inadequate for the gravity of his crime.
She is now deeply concerned that he could successfully appeal the sentence and be released early. Reflecting on her loss, she says, “I have lost my Heaven… I am lifeless,” while also recognizing the broader issue of s3xual violence, acknowledging that “there are so many Heavens,” in reference to the many other women and girls who have suffered similar fates.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Five Kenyan officers charged for aiding serial killer’s escape