THE brutal rape and murder of seven-year-old Heaven Awot in Bahir Dar, Amhara region, has sparked widespread outrage across Ethiopia, with many decrying the 25-year prison sentence handed to her attacker, Getnet Baye, as far too lenient. Heaven was sexually assaulted, mutilated, and killed by her mother’s landlord in August last year, a crime that has deeply shocked the nation.
The case has gained renewed attention after Getnet, convicted for the heinous act, launched an appeal, prompting fears that he might secure an early release. The appeal hearing has been adjourned until October, further fuelling public anger, the BBC reported.
Heaven’s mother, Abekyelesh Adeba, shared her anguish with the broadcaster, saying the loss of her daughter has left her feeling ‘lifeless.’ She, like many others, believes that justice has not been served, and the sentence does not reflect the severity of the crime.
More than 200,000 people have signed an online petition demanding a harsher sentence for Getnet, arguing that it should match the gravity of his actions. The petition also calls for support for Heaven’s grieving family.
The Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), one of the country’s largest women’s rights advocacy groups, has also voiced its discontent. In a statement, the organisation condemned the sentence as ‘very light,’ asserting that the brutal nature of the crime warranted either life imprisonment or the death penalty. ‘It’s especially sickening and outrageous when such a horrendous crime is committed against children,’ the statement read.
Senior government officials, including Minister for Women and Social Affairs Ergogie Tesfaye, have joined the chorus of criticism. Tesfaye described the crime as ‘inhumane’ on her Facebook page, vowing that her office would work with stakeholders to ensure justice is served.
The tragic case has ignited a broader conversation in Ethiopia about the safety of women and young girls, particularly in light of a May report from Human Rights Watch highlighting alarming levels of conflict-related sexual violence in the country. The report points to a lack of accountability for perpetrators as a key factor contributing to the prevalence of such crimes.
Heaven’s story is a heartbreaking reflection of the ongoing violence in Ethiopia, exacerbated by the country’s devastating two-year conflict in the Tigray region. Her father, an ethnic Tigrayan, was imprisoned during the height of the conflict and, after his release, fled to Tigray, leaving Abekyelesh to care for Heaven and her younger sister alone.
Abekyelesh never suspected that her landlord, who lived with his family in the same compound, posed any danger to her children. The two families were on friendly terms, and Abekyelesh, related to the landlord’s wife, felt secure. However, that sense of security was shattered on the day Heaven was attacked.
According to Heaven’s aunt, who was babysitting at the time, the young girl had gone to the bathroom but never returned. Hours later, Heaven’s mutilated body was discovered outside her home, bearing clear signs of strangulation. Abekyelesh believes Getnet placed the body there after killing her daughter.
In the months following the attack, Abekyelesh faced additional trauma. She was forced into hiding after Getnet escaped from custody during a raid by local Amhara militias. For nearly a month, he roamed free, even seeking out Abekyelesh with a gun. She repeatedly pleaded with security forces to rearrest him, fearing for her life and the safety of her other daughter.
The ordeal left Abekyelesh feeling betrayed by the justice system, which she believes has failed her family. The 25-year sentence for Getnet does not provide her with any sense of closure, and she is haunted by the possibility that his appeal could lead to an early release. ‘I have lost my Heaven… I am lifeless,’ she told the BBC, expressing deep concern for other women and girls who may face similar horrors.
As a health worker, Abekyelesh is painfully aware that Heaven’s case is not an isolated incident. ‘I know there are so many Heavens,’ she said, underscoring the need for stronger protections and harsher penalties for those who commit such violent crimes.
The case has highlighted the urgent need for reform in Ethiopia’s legal system to ensure that justice is truly served for the most vulnerable in society. As the appeal date approaches, the country waits to see whether the legal system will heed the calls for a punishment that truly reflects the gravity of Getnet’s crime.
About The Author
