. Amnesty International reported on Tuesday that Ethiopia is struggling to prevent serious human rights violations in areas affected by conflict. Concurrently, Human Rights Watch criticized the arrest of the sibling of a slain opposition leader, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of political dissenters.
Although the two-year conflict in the northern Tigray region officially concluded in November 2022, Ethiopia continues to experience numerous violent confrontations, particularly in the Amhara and Oromia regions. These ongoing conflicts have raised alarms about the state of human rights across the nation.
Amnesty International emphasized that human rights abuses persist “unabated” in the Amhara region, while there are numerous reports of atrocities in Tigray and various violations in Oromia that remain largely unaddressed. The situation underscores the urgent need for effective measures to protect human rights and ensure accountability in the face of ongoing violence.
The statement highlights a significant discrepancy between the Ethiopian authorities’ professed dedication to justice, particularly through transitional justice initiatives, and their inability to prevent ongoing human rights violations. This failure raises serious concerns regarding the effectiveness of these mechanisms in addressing the needs of the affected population.
The report emphasizes that millions of Ethiopians continue to be deprived of justice, enduring profound suffering as a result of the ongoing conflict. The impact of this turmoil has left many individuals and families grappling with the consequences of violence and instability, further exacerbating their plight.
Amnesty International criticized Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s assertion that his military does not engage in acts of mass violence, interpreting it as a clear indication of the government’s persistent denial of both historical and current atrocities. The organization has called upon African nations and international human rights organizations to take immediate action to investigate the alleged crimes occurring in the Amhara region.
The self-defense militias in the Amhara region, known as Fano, initially allied with federal forces during the conflict against Tigrayan insurgents. However, their allegiance shifted last year following the announcement from Prime Minister Abiy’s administration regarding the disbandment of regional military units.
In response to escalating violence in Amhara, federal authorities declared a state of emergency in August of the previous year, a measure that ultimately expired in June. This period of heightened tension underscored the complexities of the security situation in the region.
Concurrently, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for the release of eleven individuals currently in custody, including the sibling of Bate Urgessa, a notable figure in the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), who was discovered deceased in Meki, Oromia, in April. Despite a local court’s ruling for his release in June, he remains incarcerated, raising concerns about the adherence to judicial decisions.
According to a source familiar with the situation, security officials have stated that they have no information regarding his status and that he is not in their custody, as reported by Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Laetitia Bader, the deputy director for Africa at HRW, remarked that the recent detentions indicate that the government prioritizes suppressing the truth over revealing it. This sentiment underscores concerns about the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom have all urged for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Bate’s death. Since 2018, Oromia, Ethiopia’s largest and most populous region, has been embroiled in an armed conflict, although the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has since renounced violence following the ascension of Abiy, an ethnic Oromo, to power.
The resolution led to a division between the Oromo Liberation Army and federal forces, resulting in unsuccessful peace negotiations to date. This rift has further complicated the already tense situation in the region, as both parties struggle to find common ground.
Allegations have emerged against the authorities, claiming they are conducting a widespread and indiscriminate crackdown that has intensified feelings of resentment among the Oromo population. This heavy-handed approach has exacerbated existing tensions and has drawn criticism from various quarters.
In July, Ethiopia’s national rights watchdog, which operates as an independent entity despite its state affiliation, reported an alarming increase in human rights violations against civilians in areas affected by conflict. This escalation of abuses highlights the urgent need for accountability and a reassessment of the strategies employed in managing the ongoing unrest.
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Ethiopia: Human rights bodies failure to act as justice continues to elude victims of atrocities