Ethiopian security forces reportedly shot dead at least seven students on 4 January 1993 during a peaceful demonstration of over 1 000 students of Addis Ababa University. The students were protesting about UN involvement as observers in the independence referendum to be held in Eritrea in April. Over 100 students were reportedly injured, two of whom apparently died later in hospital. The demonstration had been declared illegal by the authorities. The security forces allegedly opened fire without warning, although the demonstration had been peaceful. Students were reportedly beaten, wounded and shot and ambulances were not allowed to take the wounded to hospital for over an hour after the shootings.
