A: Call for Accountability: Condemning the Exploitative, Hate-Fueled Propaganda of Edmond Bethane and Mariamawit Haile
Tigray Herald፡November 2,2024 (Mekele)
Written By Yared Yaecobe
A: Call for Accountability: Condemning the Exploitative, Hate-Fueled Propaganda of Edmond Bethane and Mariamawit Haile
The Tigrayan advocacy community in the United Kingdom, Europe, and beyond condemns Edmond Bethane and Mariamawit Haile for exploiting the Tigray genocide through divisive and inflammatory content on their YouTube channels. These self-styled “Protestant preachers” have abandoned the principles of peace, love, and truth. Instead, they propagate hatred, misinformation, and harmful rhetoric, betraying the Tigrayan people, whose suffering deserves respect, empathy, and healing—not exploitation for personal profit.
- Exploiting Tigray’s Genocide for Personal Gain
Bethane and Haile have manipulated the Tigray genocide’s tragedy to amass personal influence, reducing profound suffering to a tool for fame and profit. This exploitation of human tragedy is deeply offensive. Instead of aiding Tigray’s journey toward healing, they prey on its pain, advancing self-serving agendas and embodying greed and moral disregard. - Inciting Hatred and Division Through Dangerous Propaganda
Through deceptive and incendiary narratives, Bethane and Haile sow discord within the Tigrayan community. Aligning themselves with the failed TPLF splinter group led by Debretsion Gebremichael, a faction widely rejected by Tigrayans, they further divisions that threaten Tigray’s much-needed peace and unity. - The Unholy Fusion of Religion and Politics
While claiming to be religious leaders, Bethane and Haile exploit faith as a cover for their political motives, corrupting their spiritual platform with toxic agendas. This misuse of religion to propagate anger and misinformation contradicts the core values of Christian teachings—peace, compassion, and truth. Such actions are irresponsible and fundamentally undermine the values they claim to uphold. - Violating Tigray’s Need for Peace, Unity, and Healing
The Tigrayan people, survivors of genocide and profound trauma, deserve respect and accurate information to facilitate healing and unity. By spreading misinformation, Bethane and Haile obstruct this peace-building process, perpetuating trauma and disregarding Tigrayans’ plea for healing and reconciliation. - A Call for Collective Accountability and Condemnation
Every Tigrayan, regardless of political beliefs, must strongly condemn the actions of Edmond Bethane and Mariamawit Haile. Their exploitation of Tigray’s tragedy for personal gain and their undermining of unity demands clear and united disapproval. All Tigrayan civil and human rights organizations, religious institutions, and community leaders should reject and denounce their harmful and unethical behavior. - YouTube Must Take Immediate Action
Bethane and Haile’s actions violate YouTube’s community guidelines, which prohibit misinformation, hate speech, and content inciting violence. We call on YouTube to investigate these accounts and their harmful content. These unethical practices must be addressed, holding their platform accountable for enabling propaganda that endangers a vulnerable community.
Conclusion: Tigray Demands Justice, Not Exploitation
We, as advocates for Tigrayan human rights, call on all Tigrayans and allies to stand against those who exploit suffering for personal gain. Edmond Bethane and Mariamawit Haile have betrayed humanity’s fundamental values of compassion and respect. Their actions are reprehensible, and they must be held accountable for the harm inflicted upon Tigrayans. Tigray now demands truth, healing, and unity.
Suggested Titles for this Statement
“Preachers of Hate: Exposing the Exploitative Propaganda of Edmond Bethane and Mariamawit Haile”
“A Breach of Faith and Humanity: Condemning the Self-Serving Rhetoric of Bethane and Haile”
“Faith Distorted for Profit: How Bethane and Haile Exploit Tigray’s Suffering”
“Against God and Humanity: The Harmful Agenda of False Preachers Bethane and Haile”
Tigray needs genuine allies in its recovery—not opportunists cloaked in religious titles.
This statement is issued by Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights in the UK and EU (TAG-HR UK & EU).
About TAG-HR UK & EU
TAG-HR UK & EU is more than an advocacy group; it is a movement dedicated to protecting human rights, promoting environmental sustainability, and ensuring political accountability in post-genocide Tigray. Through a unified, strategic, and global approach, TAG-HR envisions a future where Tigrayans live in dignity and peace, with their voices heard and their rights protected.
