By Maya Misikir/VOA
Ethiopia’s Human Rights Commission has denounced security measures against protesters in the Amhara region this week that it said led to the deaths of civilians.
The government-established commission, which is monitoring operations in the region, reported civilian deaths, though it did not specify how many people were killed.
The regional director for monitoring and investigation, Alemu Meheretu, said the commission has received reports of shelling in the Amhara region’s North Shewa Zone.
“There have been attacks with heavy weapons. People have died because of this, and we have also been informed about the destruction of houses as well,” Meheretu said. “Roadblocks and tensions are also being reported.”
Meheretu added that the commission will issue a report and work on interventions when it has full information.
The clashes are between the Ethiopian military and the Amhara region militia, which has set up roadblocks on major routes to the capital.
Protests in Amhara started in early April, following government calls to integrate regional forces into the military or the police.
Regional Amhara forces fought alongside the Ethiopian government during the two-year war in the neighboring Tigray region.
The government’s law enforcement operations have also targeted opposition members accused of inciting protesters, according to the Human Rights Commission.
Attempts to reach the region’s communications director went unanswered.
VOA
The government call is primarily to disarm the Amhara special forces.
If there was a plan to integrate them into defense and police forces, the government should have a clear plan and discussed this directly with the stake holders and the integration could have taken place smoothly. But now the Fanno and the special forces are ordered to disarm through the media.
If the security issue and the concern of the region be solved or if there is a clear government commitment to solve the issues of the people in the region, it would n’t come to such a protest. Having a one and unified defense force is something to welcome.
But as can be seen, the way it’s implemented is selective and there is a political agenda behind it.
Why only Amhara and Somali special forces? Why not disarm the Oromia special forces? ????
This Government has become untrustworthy.
The issue of the Wolkait Humera region should have been part of the Pretoria peace talks with an acceptable compromise. But GoE don’t seem to serve its people.
Very pity.