The state of emergency declared in Ethiopia’s Amhara region has officially ended today.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has issued a statement urging the release of individuals imprisoned during the 10-month state of emergency, which was declared in response to the conflict in the region.
The EHRC emphasized that the state of emergency, declared due to armed conflict between the government and the armed group known as “Fano,” has expired.
In its statement, the commission called for the immediate release of those detained under the emergency measures.
The state of emergency, initially declared by the Council of Ministers in August 2023, came into effect in January 2024 and was extended for an additional four months.
The EHRC has been actively monitoring and investigating the impact of the emergency decree on human rights management.
Throughout this period, the commission has issued statements highlighting gaps and violations observed during the implementation of the decree.
It has repeatedly pointed out that both government forces and other armed groups have been involved in rights violations.
The EHRC’s statement called for a return to normal law enforcement processes, including the release of detainees, the lifting of movement restrictions in various areas, and the restoration of other social services.
In a related development, more than 80 individuals arrested during the Amhara region crisis appeared in court today.
These individuals, accused of terrorism, were brought before the federal high court’s division trial and have been detained in Addis Ababa and Awash Arba. Among those who appeared in court were journalists, religious leaders, and politicians.
The EHRC’s continued advocacy highlights the importance of upholding human rights and ensuring that emergency measures do not lead to prolonged and unjust detentions.
The commission’s call for the release of prisoners and the restoration of normalcy is a significant step toward addressing the human rights concerns raised during the state of emergency.
