More than 160 Civilians Killed in Amhara Region Over the Last Four Months
Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has released its report on human rights violations in Ethiopia since June.
According to the report, the EHRC stated that extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, detentions, rapes, and other human rights violations have been committed against innocent civilians in the Amhara, Oromia, Southwest Ethiopia, Gambella, and Central Ethiopia regions.
In the last four months since June, more than 160 civilians have been killed in the conflict between government security forces and Fano militants in the Amhara region, the EHRC reported.
The victims include the mentally ill, elderly, children, and women.
The report highlighted that civilians were killed in their homes, churches, and while traveling, with no apparent reason, in areas such as Gondar, Gojam, Debresina, Ataye, and Shewarobit. Civilians were also targeted based on accusations of providing information to Fano or being perceived as government collaborators.
Extrajudicial killings, civilian deaths, and injuries amid the ongoing conflict are cited as continuing concerns in conflict-affected areas. In addition, property destruction, looting, arbitrary mass detentions, extended imprisonment without due process, forced disappearances, hostage-taking, and illegal restrictions on movement and transportation routes were also reported. These violations have resulted in significant internal displacement.
The EHRC announced that it will publish a detailed, independent statement regarding forced disappearances and the detentions of people whose whereabouts remain unknown.
Beyond the Amhara region, the EHRC reported that innocent civilians have also been exposed to death and mutilation in the Oromia, Southwest Ethiopia, Gambella, and Central Ethiopia regions.
In Oromia, over 45 civilians were killed in clashes between Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) militants and government security forces in the North Shewa, Welega, Southwest Shewa, and Arsi zones.
In the Gambella region, since March, more than 60 civilians have been killed in attacks by militants while sheltering in homes, during transport, or while on the move.
The EHRC urged all parties involved in the conflicts in the Amhara and Oromia regions to unconditionally cease hostilities and seek peaceful solutions.
They were also called upon to refrain from violating international human rights and humanitarian law, publicly condemn the violations, and ensure accountability.
The EHRC stressed that all parties involved in the conflict must respect human rights in the areas under their control, refrain from attacking civilians, and avoid damaging civilian property.
Furthermore, the EHRC called on all parties involved in the ongoing armed conflict in the Amhara region to cease actions that restrict freedoms, including inappropriate limitations on freedom of movement and transportation.
The commission also emphasized the need for immediate and adequate humanitarian assistance for displaced residents, the facilitation of the return of displaced persons to their homes, and the pursuit of a peaceful and lasting solution to the security threats that caused the displacement.
