🇪🇹 Ethiopia Hands Down First-Ever Death Sentences For Human Trafficking Offences

 

Landmark ruling marks Ethiopia’s toughest stance yet as nation cracks down on deadly migrant smuggling along the “eastern route” to the Gulf.

Zig Diaries Humanitarian

Date: Sunday, 4th August 2025
Time: 15:35 WAT
Location: 📍Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ethiopian court delivers first capital punishment verdicts for migrant smuggling in response to rising deaths along Red Sea migration route.

In a historic ruling, Ethiopia has sentenced five individuals to death for human trafficking — the first time the East African country has imposed capital punishment for this offence.

The convicted traffickers were found guilty of operating within a criminal network that smuggled migrants along the notorious "eastern route" — a perilous corridor stretching from the Horn of Africa across the Red Sea and through Yemen, often ending in the Gulf States.

The case gained urgency following a recent maritime disaster off the coast of Yemen, in which dozens of Ethiopian migrants drowned while attempting the dangerous crossing. Authorities say the tragedy highlighted the brutal reality of transnational smuggling networks and pushed the justice system toward a firmer response.

Justice officials hailed the verdict as a turning point. “This is a clear message to those who prey on desperation and profit from misery,” said a government spokesperson, who confirmed the establishment of specialized task forces dedicated to dismantling trafficking rings and supporting victims.

While Ethiopia retains the death penalty in its legal code, its application is exceedingly rare. The last known execution took place over a decade ago, suggesting the current ruling reflects a new era of legal assertiveness against human trafficking crimes.

The development also comes amid growing international scrutiny over migration routes out of East Africa, with the Red Sea corridor now among the deadliest paths globally. Rights advocates have urged regional governments to pair judicial crackdowns with safer legal pathways for migration, warning that punitive measures alone may not stem the flow.

 🏷️Tags: human trafficking, Ethiopia, Horn of Africa, death penalty, migration, Yemen

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