Ethiopia is struggling to prevent serious human rights abuses in conflict-affected areas, Amnesty International said on Tuesday. Similarly, Human Rights Watch criticized the detention of a brother and sister of a slain opposition leader, highlighting ongoing concerns about the treatment of political opponents.
The two-year conflict in northern Tigray Although it officially ended in November 2022, Ethiopia is still dealing with several conflicts, especially in the Amhara and Oromia regions. These ongoing conflicts have raised concerns about human rights across the country.
According to Amnesty International, human rights violations in the Amhara region continue “uninterrupted” and many reports of horrific acts in Tigray and various violations of rights in Oromia are still not given attention. The situation underscores the urgent need for effective measures to protect human rights and ensure accountability in the face of ongoing violence.
The statement shows the difference between the Ethiopian authorities’ professed commitment to justice, especially the initiation of transitional justice, and their failure to prevent ongoing human rights violations. This failure raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of these mechanisms in addressing the needs of the affected population.
The report emphasized that millions of Ethiopians are suffering from injustice due to the ongoing conflict. The impact of this turmoil has further exacerbated the trauma of many individuals and families dealing with the consequences of violence and instability.
Amnesty International has criticized Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s statement that his soldiers do not commit mass violence as a clear indication of the government’s denial of historical and current atrocities. The organization has requested African countries and international human rights organizations to take immediate action to investigate the crimes being committed in the Amhara region.
The Self-Defense Forces, known as Fano in the Amhara region, first cooperated with the federal forces in the conflict with Tigray militants. However, their loyalties changed last year after Prime Minister Abiy’s administration announced the disbandment of regional military units.
Federal authorities declared a state of emergency in August last year to prevent the escalating violence in the Amhara region, a measure that finally ended in June. This period of high tension has highlighted the complexity of the security situation in the region.
Similarly, Human Rights Watch has called for the release of the 11 individuals who are currently in prison, including the brother and sister of Bate Urgesa, a senior member of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLG), who was found dead in Meki, Oromia in April. . Although a local court ordered his release in June, he is still in prison, which has raised concerns about following court decisions.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that security officials had no information about the situation and were not available, according to a person familiar with the matter.
According to Laetitia Bader, HRW’s Deputy Director for Africa; Those who were arrested recently said that the government prefers suppression rather than revealing the truth. This sentiment undermines the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
The United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom have all called for a full investigation into Bate’s death. Since 2018, Ethiopia’s largest and most populous region, Oromia, has been embroiled in armed conflict, although the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) ended the violence after Abiy, an Oromo native, came to power.
The resolution led to a split between the Oromo Liberation Army and the federal forces; As a result, there has been no successful peace negotiations. This dispute has further complicated the tension in the area as both sides struggle to find a common ground.
Allegations have been made against the authorities that they are taking broad and inappropriate measures which have aggravated the bitterness against the Oromo people. This heavy-handed approach has aggravated the current tension and led to criticism from various directions.
In July, the Ethiopian National Human Rights Organization, although a member of the government, reported a worrying increase in human rights violations against civilians in conflict-affected areas. This escalation of violence calls for immediate accountability and a re-evaluation of the strategies implemented to manage the ongoing instability.
