Ethiopian Catholic Church Pastoral Appeal for the Protection of Human life and Dignity of Ethiopian Migrants

“Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy”. (Mt 5:7)

To all political leaders, religious leaders, human rights organizations, local advocates, the media, and to all people of goodwill.

Dear brothers and sisters in our shared humanity,

We, the Ethiopian Catholic Bishops, wish to raise a pressing concern of our time regarding Ethiopian migrants. Across our nation, millions of young men and women leave their homeland not out of a lack of love for their country, but out of a desperate search for honest employment and a livelihood that honors their inherent worth. Their motivations are noble and sacrificial: to uplift their lives, sustain their families, and ultimately contribute to the flourishing of their nation. Tragically, instead of finding the dignity they seek, our migrants find themselves ensnared by structural exploitation, fear, isolation, and acute vulnerability. No matter how desperate their circumstances, their human dignity remains sacred and can never be ignored or erased by a border, a legal status, or an economic system.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin” (CCC 2241). This teaching reminds us that migrants are not to be treated as outsiders or burdens, but as brothers and sisters whose dignity must be respected and protected.

However, many migrants encounter serious challenges and suffer greatly throughout their migration journeys. We have observed the following key migration destinations and the associated difficulties faced by our brothers and sisters:

1. Some Middle Eastern Countries:
   
   a. Saudi Arabia: There are many Ethiopian migrants residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia expresses deep sorrow, profound concern, and urgent hope regarding reports that hundreds of Ethiopian citizens currently detained in the Kingdom are facing the possibility of execution.
   We earnestly hope and appeal that the authorities of Saudi Arabia will show compassion and mercy to all those affected, upholding the dignity of human life.
   
   b.Yemen: Many Ethiopian migrants pass through the Red Sea, Djibouti, or the Gulf of Aden in an attempt to enter Yemen or proceed onward to Saudi Arabia. Yemen is often used as a transit route to other Gulf countries; however, many migrants suffer greatly along the way, facing violence, abuse, and inhumane treatment. Tragically, a significant number lose their lives due to the perilous nature of the journey and the harsh conditions they endure.
   
   c. Lebanon: Many Ethiopian migrants in Lebanon face constant danger due to the ongoing conflict and instability in the country. As a result, a considerable number are seeking repatriation, longing to return safely to their homeland and reunite with their families.
   
   d. The Gulf Countries: Many Ethiopian migrants in these countries find themselves in situations of constant danger and uncertainty due to escalating regional tensions and conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
   
2. The Republic of South Africa is another destination for many Ethiopian migrants. A significant number face serious threats to their lives and property. Some are detained in transit countries along the way, while others who reach their destination continue to live in fear and uncertainty. We have received ongoing reports that some migrants have been victims of violence and have even lost their lives due to recurring xenophobic attacks in the country.
   
3. The Sudan – Libya – Europe Route: This route has long been one of the most frequently used paths by traffickers, and it has brought immense suffering to countless migrants. Many have perished while crossing the harsh and dangerous desert terrain under inhumane conditions. At present, the ongoing conflict in Sudan has made this journey even more perilous. Those who reach Libya often face imprisonment, extortion, forced labor, and severe abuse. Some have even suffered persecution and lost their lives because of their Christian faith. Migrants who attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea in unsafe boats risk drowning; many tragically lose their lives, while only a few manage to reach the shores of Lampedusa. There, Pope Francis once laid a wreath of flowers in memory of those who died at sea, and Pope Leo XIV is also expected to visit the island, continuing the Church’s mission of solidarity, compassion, and advocacy for migrants.

These Ethiopian migrants are not statistics. They are sons and daughters of families who often send them abroad with tears, hope, sacrifice, and desperation. Too often, migrants fall into systems of exploitation, fear, abuse, isolation, and vulnerability. Many endure conditions difficult to imagine.  

In the spirit of Christian charity and international fraternity, we raise a specific and urgent plea to the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to suspend any planned executions involving Ethiopian nationals and to consider clemency and mercy in these cases. Mercy does not weaken justice. Mercy elevates justice and gives hope where despair seeks to prevail.

This painful situation must also challenge the international community to confront the deeper causes driving irregular migration. Socio-economic hardships, environmental degradation, and many other factors continue to force millions of people onto dangerous migration routes across the world. A world that ignores these root causes cannot resolve the migration crisis. Indeed, the true measure of our humanity and civilization itself lies in how we treat the most vulnerable among us.

As Bishops of Ethiopia, we continue to pray fervently that dialogue, mercy, and wisdom may prevail over despair and death. We entrust these vulnerable Ethiopian migrants, their families, and all decision makers to the mercy and guidance of Almighty God.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia.
Addis Abeba. 18/05/2026