1.Many of the Tigrayans that were arrested in the ethnic-based mass arrests of Tigrayans by @PMEthiopia's regime are still languishing in detentions without charges. Sr Lemlem Gidey, a #Catholic nun from the #UrsulineSisters in #Kobo, is one of them. @hrw @USCCB @StateDept @UN_HRC
2. Sr Lemlem Gidey was arrested on Dec 31, 2021 by the security forces in #Kobo, currently Amhara Region in Ethiopia, where she was managing #UrsulineSisters #Catholic Primary Hospital b/c she is a Tigrayan from #Irob. She is still detained in #Weldiya ~40 km from Kobo. @cnalive
3. When the #TDF first approached Kobo last year, some schools & clinics/hospitals stopped services & the staff moved to #Weldiya. The #UrsulineSisters, however, decided to stay & continue providing services to the local people they serve. @Catholicnewssvc
4.After the #TDF withdrew from the Amhara region, the #UrsulineSisters in Kobo again continued their services. When Ethiopian regime forces and militias moved back into Kobo & the regime forces arrested Sr Lemlem Gidey along other civilians of Tigrayan ethnicity. @VaticanNews @hrw
5. After the regime forces detained Sr Lemlem without charges for months, they are now 'accusing' her of allowing the #TDF members to be treated at the hospital she was managing in #Kobo. @hrw @UNHumanRights @StateDept @eu_echo @eu_eeas
6. Reliable sources are now reporting that the regime forces are asking Sr Lemlem Gidey to accept guilt for allowing the treatment of #TDF members at the hospital. Her statement that her faith & #IHL don't allow denying medical treatment .. @hrw @UNHumanRights @StateDept @eu_echo
7. based on ethnicity or any other grounds or any other grounds has not been acceptable to the regime forces. It's also alarming that the #CatholicChurch of #Ethiopia is not advocating for her release. @hrw @UNHumanRights @Pontifex @USCCB @CCCB_CECC @VaticanNews @CatholicNewsSvc
8. Still worse, Bishop #Lesanechristos of #BahirDar Eparchy that includes #Kobo & other #Wollo areas is reportedly suggesting/pushing Sr Lemlem Gidey should accept her 'guilt'. This is another troubling sign that ... @Pontifex @USCCB @CCCB_CECC @VaticanNews @CatholicNewsSvc
9. the leaders of the #CatholicChurch of #Ethiopia led by Cardinal #Berhaneyesus is either supportive of the #WarOnTigray or staying indifferent to the injustices to Tigrayans including to their staff members and employees. @Pontifex @USCCB @CCCB_CECC @VaticanNews @CatholicNewsSvc
10. It is remembered many Catholic priests & nuns of Tigrayan ethnicity were arrested in Tigrayan mass arrests by the genocidal regime of @PMEthiopia and released later after broad media coverage & advocacy. The #CatholicChurch of Ethiopia has been quiet during then or after. @Pontifex
11. Sr Lemlem Gidey has been detained for so long for no crime other than her Tigrayan ethnicity & we call for her immediate release. The IC must take concrete actions against the genocidal regime of Ethiopia to releases 10,000s Tigrayans still detained. @hrw @StateDept @eu_echo @UN
12. Sister Lemlem Gidey, a woman who has spent her whole life serving the sick and vulnerable has been detained for being Tigrayan. Their claim is that she assisted a wounded TDF member (which in a sane place would have been a humanitarian obligation). Let’s demand her release.