The killings in the Amhara region are mostly related to killings by Ethiopian government forces in the form of extrajudicial killings
borkena
Toronto – The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission this week released a report into the Human rights situation in the country.
The report said the violations reported across the country. It said that the violations are multifaceted and there were also threats and concerns too.
The report in the Amhara region mostly covers the period between June and September. More than 163 civilians were killed. The figure does not fully depict the extent of rights violations in the region due to the under-reported situation and restriction for human rights bodies and independent journalists to investigate and report all rights violations in the region. There were also violations in other parts of Ethiopia including Oromia, Central Ethiopia, Gambella and Southern Ethiopia, among others.
EHRC itself indicated that the report does not show all the violations in the context of the conflict. There are still limitations to move freely in the areas where the rights violations happened to follow up and undertake investigation. Full investigation of the incidents is among the recommendations that the human rights organization gave.
Extrajudicial executions in the areas where there is an ongoing conflict, the killings of civilians in the context of the conflict, looting and destruction of properties, mass and extended arrest without court appearance, forced abduction, kidnapping , illegal restrictions on the right for mobility and displacement are among the major violations that Ethiopian Human Rights Commission identified in its latest report.
Amhara region
In early June – Awi zone Tilili town gov’t forces did a house to house search killing 10 civilians in extrajudicial killings. In Wonjella kebelle, government forces went house to house, dragged and executed five civilians following a battle between government forces and Fano forces; a 75 years old man among the victims.
In the same month, government forces killed six residents in extrajudicial killings and one Abnet student in Motta town after government forces suffered during an ambush attack by Fano forces. The killing took place in the premises of Medhane Alem church and a funeral procession was underway to bury a monk when govt forces carried out the executions.
In North Gojjam, government forces executed 10 farmers and wounded two others after their forces suffered loss following Fano forces ambush attack when traveling between North Gojjam and South Mecha district.
In West Gojjam, Jiga town, government forces carried out extrajudicial killings of at least 16 civilians who were in “Goh” cafe and restaurant. Families of the victims have confirmed the incident. Two of the victims were mentally disturbed persons.
In Adet, a father and his son who did not have involvement in the conflict were extrajudicially killed. Also, three fano forces who were caught and arrested in the Defense force military camp were killed and their bodies dumped. This incident was towards the end of June. Fano forces have reportedly retaliated by executing militia and Anti-riot members who were captured during a fight.
In North Shoa, Debre Sina area, government forces extrajudicially killed 15 civilians. It happened after the attempt to besiege Fano forces in the area failed. The victims were just on their way home and some were standing outside of a cafe.
In North Wollo, six civilians were killed and five others wounded after government forces fired heavy artillery on civilians residences during a fighting against Fano. Two of the victims were from the same family. And two of the victims were children.
In the Oromo community zone, Ahmed Ali, head of the administration, was killed as he was returning home from Mosque prayer.
In July, at least seven civilians were killed in Guba Lafto district North Wollo zone when heavy artillery government forces fired hit a residential area.
In East Gojjam, one fano combatant was wounded in Enebse district. When the two of his brothers attempted to pick up, they were all shot dead by government forces.
In August, extrajudicially killed Kassa Mitiku in Quarit district, West Gojjam, in front of his house and the person is known to be deaf , and also suffers from epilepsy. Also government forces shot and wounded two women while they were in their house. They were asked to open but they refused. The security forces fired through the window and wounded them both.
In North Gojam, North Mecha, government forces killed seven civilians following fighting against Fanos. The victims did not have any involvement in the fighting. In addition, government forces killed Awoke Mekonen, a priest, while he was on his way to Abune ZeraBeruk church.
In South Gondar, district authorities of Este and Enda bet were killed as they were traveling for a meeting [to Debre Tabor].
In East Gojjam, Government forces killed Zewde Chane and Anchalew Mekonen (both farmers) . The victims were attempting to escape from heavy artillery that government forces were firing. They were caught on the road and shot dead under alleged grounds that “they are Fano supporters.”
In Bahir Dar, four youths were killed near Zenzelma and two youths in Ashraf. EHRCO said the perpetrators are unknown but it is established that bodies of the victims were found with their hands tied in the back and riddled with bullets. In another development , two civilians were killed and ten others wounded in other parts of the city after government forces (including anti-riot police) opened fire on paupers and street vendors. One of the victims who was killed was blind.
In Kobo North Wollo, four youths were killed by an unidentified group after a fighting between Fano and Government forces.
In Central Gondar, Alefa district over ten civilians were killed during a crossfire between the Fano forces and government forces and also by government forces as they went house to house following a fighting with Fano forces.
In late august, Mebret Kidanemarian and her daughter, who was a final year student at Addis Ababa University, was shot to death in their own house at Maraki sub city of Gondar city. The killing took place around 9 p.m. They were reportedly killed after an attempted ransom kidnapping but the mother and daughter refused to go with the kidnappers.
Nolawit Zegeye, a two years old baby girl, was kidnapped when she was playing within the premises of her parents home, Her father was initially asked to pay one million. The father who works as a driver could not afford it and was asked to pay 300,000 after a bargain which he agreed to. After they sent the money to the kidnappers, they were told to return home and where they would find the baby girl. They found the baby girl killed in a horrifying manner.
In September, In North Gondar, at least 20 civilians were killed during a fighting between Fano forces and government forces and 36 others were wounded during the crossfire in Gondar city.
Violations in other parts of Ethiopia
In central Ethiopia, armed groups/individuals attack civilians in Meskan and Mareko district of the Gurage zone still continuing, according to the report. An incident from June this year in Enseo town where armed group attack killed one person and insured three others, the incident from August in Mareko district Hobe Jar Demboka locality where four members of the same family were killed and in Dida Halibo locality where seven members of same family were killed by armed groups are among cases the reported cited. As reported by borkena in August, residents from the area and their member of parliament believe that government authorities are involved in the attack.
In South Ethiopia, one person was killed and five others wounded (ranging from light to serious wound) in Burji zone after a conflict over land in Soyama district Beno and Tisho kebeles. Five residential homes were entirely destroyed. In the South Omo zone , an unspecified number of people were killed after conflict between Bodi and Ari communities over contraband business and cattle plunder. Also one Spanish man who went to the area for a visit was killed.
In Gambella region, one person was killed and two others wounded in Gambella city near Addis Sefer or Turjeni in June this year. In July, three South Sudan refugees were killed and three others wounded when gunmen launched an attack at Jawi refugee camp in Gabella district.
In Oromia, In early August what the report described as “Amhara Armed groups” launched an attack in Abe Dongoro district of Horo Guduru. Four persons were killed and twenty-two others wounded. The report also added that 540 houses were burned and over 800 cattle looted. In another incident, Oromo Liberation Army killed three persons whom it said have relation with the government and wounded one other person in Aseko district of Arsi zone. Unspecified number of residential houses were burned to the ground. In North Shoa, On August 20 Defense Force reportedly killed Tesfa Boja on alleged grounds that the person is “OLF Shane logistic” man. He was reportedly taken to the camp and killed but his body was reportedly littered near his house. In South Shoa, that group that calls itself has killed at least 14 civilians in July and August.
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