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Rights Group Condemns Internet Shutdown in Ethiopia, Points to Threats of
Coronavirus Spread

Salem Solomon

   WASHINGTON - Millions of Ethiopians in western Oromia are cut off from
   phone and internet access due to a government-imposed
   shutdown,according tothe advocacy group Human Rights Watch.

   The lack of information is particularly importantas Ethiopians seek
   vital news about the global spread of coronavirus, HRWsaidMonday.

   The shutdownis also making it difficult for outside observers to gauge
   the humanitarian needs inside the Oromia region.

   "This means that their relatives who are living outside of the region
   are struggling to get any information about what's going on. This has
   also had an impact on the number of humanitarian actors who haven't
   been able to get good information on what the humanitarian situation
   and the security situation is like," HRW lead researcher Laetitia Bader
   told VOA. "So,this is really having an impact on people both inside and
   outside of these affected areas."

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