On August 21, over 240,000 people signed an online petition protesting the 25-year prison sentence given to Getnet Baye, who was convicted of raping and murdering 7-year-old Heaven Awot last year.
Getnet, who was sentenced last week, is widely criticized for the leniency of his punishment. He attacked Heaven, the daughter of his tenant, in August 2023 in Bahir Dar, Amhara region.
Following his sentencing, Getnet announced plans to appeal, with the case adjourned until October 2024.
Heaven’s mother, Abekyelesh Adeba, described her feelings of profound loss, saying she feels “lifeless” after her daughter’s death.
The online petition calls for a harsher sentence and shows strong support for Abekyelesh.
The Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA) has condemned the 25-year sentence as “very light,” suggesting that life imprisonment or the death penalty would be more fitting given the crime’s severity and the victim’s age.
Government officials, including Minister for Women and Social Affairs Ergogie Tesfaye, have also criticized the ruling, labeling the crime “inhumane” and pledging to address the issue.
Heaven’s death has sparked a wider discussion on the safety of women and girls in Ethiopia. A recent Human Rights Watch report linked an increase in sexual violence to the ongoing conflict in the Tigray region.
Before her death, Heaven’s family had already suffered due to the Tigray conflict, with her father imprisoned and later fleeing to Tigray. Her mother had trusted Getnet, but that trust was betrayed when Heaven was attacked while in her aunt’s care. Her body was later found mutilated outside their home.
Abekyelesh’s anguish was further deepened when Getnet escaped custody following a local militia break-in. He evaded capture for nearly a month, during which time Abekyelesh was forced to relocate frequently due to fear.
She now worries that justice may not be served if Getnet’s appeal is successful. “I have lost my Heaven… I am lifeless,” Abekyelesh, a health worker, told the BBC.
