Marta Hurtado,
Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
August 29, 2023
We are very concerned by the deteriorating human rights situation in some regions of Ethiopia.
In Amhara region, following a flare-up in clashes between the Ethiopian military and the regional Fano militia, and the declaration of a state of emergency on 4 August, the situation worsened considerably. At least 183 people have been killed in clashes since July, according to information gathered by the UN Human Rights Office.
The wide-ranging state of emergency gives the authorities broad powers nationwide, to arrest suspects without a court order, impose curfews and ban public gatherings.
We have received reports that more than 1,000 people have been arrested across Ethiopia under this law. Many of those detained were reported to be young people of Amhara ethnic origin suspected of being Fano supporters. Since early August, mass house-to-house searches have reportedly been taking place, and at least three Ethiopian journalists covering the situation in the Amhara region have been detained. Detainees have reportedly been placed in improvised detention centres that lack basic amenities.
We call on the authorities to stop mass arrests, ensure that any deprivation of liberty is judicially reviewed, and release those arbitrarily detained. Authorities must ensure that conditions of detention comply with international norms and standards. We call on them to allow oversight bodies – including the UN Human Rights Office and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission – regular and unconditional access to all places of detention. The safety of detainees needs to be guaranteed and they must be afforded full protection of their human rights, including fair trial and procedural guarantees.
With federal forces reasserting their presence in certain towns and Fano militias reportedly retreating into rural areas, we call on all actors to stop killings, other violations and abuses. Grievances must be addressed through dialogue and political process.
We have also received allegations that at least 250 ethnic Tigrayans were detained in the disputed area of Western Tigray, reportedly in joint operations by the Amhara police, local authorities and local militia, including armed youth from Wolkait. Those detained were then reportedly taken by armed Wolkait youth to an area controlled by the Tigray Interim Regional Administration, where they were intercepted by the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF). The ENDF then reportedly screened and gave those detained the option of either returning to Western Tigray or remaining in the Tigray Interim Regional Administration area.
Amid continued allegations of human rights violations and abuses, the situation in Oromia is also of concern.
All human rights violations and abuses in the various regions of Ethiopia must be promptly, impartially and effectively investigated, and those responsible must be held to account.
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There are propagandists among Amhara activists and those who are wishy-washy, playing various cards and changing their faces like Chameolon.
They are brainwashing and attempting to cover up the crimes committed by Fannos in Tigray. These acivists are claiming that Tigrayan forces never captured Amhara militia and Fannos, except ENDF members, with the intention of expressing their allegiance to Amhara genociders to protect themselves from any kind of attack from Fanno supporters abroad,in the USA, as they were constantly receiving serious threats.
UN reports confirmed the presence of Fannos and Amhara militia within Tigray: “”We have also received allegations that at least 250 ethnic Tigrayans were detained in the disputed area of Western Tigray, reportedly in joint operations by the Amhara police, local authorities, and local militia, including armed youth from Wolkait.”” Source Borkena posted on August 29, 2023, as told by Marta Hurtado,Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Foreigners (UN reporters or invetsigators) are not able to cover all aspects of the crimes committed in Tigray due to the vastness and complexity of the crimes, victims disappearances, the constantly evolving techniques of the criminals, etc.
Amhara fannos and amhara elites cannot exempt themselves from genocide in Tigray, as they were not only the major catalysts and supporters but also involved in the conflict and killed many Tigrayans within Tigray and outside Tigray. They are still killing Tigrians living in western Tigray. Besides, their emotional and material support for the Eritrean army and ENDF has a lot to do with their direct involvement in the Tigray genocide, because if someone supports and sends a killer, he or she is involved in the crime. Above all, Amhara fannos were seen in several videos being interrogated by TDF members, and TDF members were seen giving them clothes and saying “You are our brother” and the fannos and Amhara militia elements responded “We have been obliged by the state into this conflict”. The video could still be found, as it is watched by many people.