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Abstract
In recent years, Ethiopia has experienced a significant escalation in human rights violations,
further exacerbated by conflicts in the Tigray, Oromia, and Amhara regions. While these issues
have garnered international attention, the extent of the abuses, specifically those inflicted
upon the Amhara population, lacks sufficient coverage. This report to address this oversight
by offering a thorough examination of the severe human rights challenges faced by the Amhara
community.
The findings of this report reveal a troubling pattern of extensive human rights abuses against
the Amhara people in Ethiopia, marked by recurrent incidents of massacres, extrajudicial
killings, drone strikes, forced displacements and mass arrests. These acts are predominantly
driven by ethnic and religious discrimination, leading to substantial casualties, and
exacerbating conflicts within the country. The Ethiopian government’s response to these
violations has been critically insufficient, with many instances suggesting possible negligence
or even direct state involvement in the human rights abuses. This ongoing crisis has inflicted
severe humanitarian consequences on the Amhara population, including widespread
displacement. Furthermore, the plight of the Amhara people has been largely overlooked on
the international stage, indicating a critical need for increased global attention and action.
These violations not only qualify as crimes against humanity but also evince a systematic
trajectory toward genocide. Given the gravity of these offenses, there exists an immediate
imperative for an impartial investigation under the auspices of the United. This report aspires
to catalyze such an inquiry and also to inform policymakers, human rights organizations, and
the general public about the imminent risks facing the Amhara community.
| Title : The Silent Suffering of the Amhara People in Ethiopia
ECLJ – European Centre for Law and Justice / Centre européen pour le droit et la justice
4 Quai Koch
67000 Strasbourg
France
+33 3 88 24 94 40
secretariat@eclj.org
Published in English on April 26, 2024
© ECLJ
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Table of Contents
I. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………… 3
A. The Political Context of Ethiopia……………………………………………………… 3
B. Background of the Amhara Population…………………………………………….. 5
II. Ethnic Violence and Genocidal Tendencies in Ethiopia…………………………. 5
A. The Burayu Massacre ……………………………………………………………………. 5
B. A Series of Attacks on Christians in Ethiopia ……………………………………… 6
C. The Shashemene Massacres…………………………………………………………… 9
D. Amhara Massacres in Wollega………………………………………………………. 10
E. The Metekel Massacres……………………………………………………………….. 12
F. Forced displacement of the Amhara community……………………………… 14
III. Military Operations in the Amhara Region ………………………………………. 15
A. Drone Attacks on Civilians in the Amhara Region …………………………….. 15
B. Extrajudicial and Summary Killings………………………………………………… 16
C. Mass arrests………………………………………………………………………………. 17
IV. Recommendations……………………………………………………………………… 18
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I. Introduction
Ethiopia is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is home to a diverse array of cultures,
languages, and ethnicities. With a history that spans thousands of years, the nation has
undergone significant social, economic, and political transformations throughout its existence.
Ethiopia is multifaceted and shaped by its rich history and its large ethnic diversity. Ethiopia is
home to over 80 distinct ethnic groups, each with their own languages, customs, and traditions.
The Oromo, Amhara, Somali, and Tigrayans are among the largest ethnic groups. While this
diversity is a source of cultural richness, it has also been a source of tension and conflict,
especially when it comes to the issues of political representation and resource allocation.
Religion plays a pivotal role in the social fabric of Ethiopia. The country has the second-largest
Orthodox population in the world, numbering around 36 million people1
. With deep historical
roots, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has profoundly influenced the values, norms and
traditions of the nation. Islam, too, has played a similar role, especially in the eastern and
southeastern regions where it’s predominant. Other religions practiced in Ethiopia include
Protestantism and, although not widespread, traditional African religions such as the
Waaqeffanna.
Ethiopia has experienced rapid economic growth in recent decades, shifting from a primarily
agrarian economy to an increasingly urbanized and industrialized one. However, problems such
as poverty, unemployment and income inequality remain largely unresolved. The majority of
the population still depends on subsistence farming, and there is a significant gap between urban
and rural areas in terms of access to services and opportunities. Government initiatives to
promote development have led to a series of controversies, particularly with regard to land
rights and population displacement.
A. The Political Context of Ethiopia
Ancient Ethiopian civilizations such as the Axumite kingdom, the Zagwe dynasty or the
Solomonic dynasty, were characterized by monarchic political structures. This longstanding
monarchical tradition was disrupted in 1974 with the deposition of Emperor Haile Selassie I by
the communist “Derg” regime. The Derg regime was characterized by a pronounced
authoritarianism and widespread human rights abuses. Its rule came to an end in 1991 when the
Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) seized power. The Tigray
People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) was the dominant member of the EPRDF coalition and
wielded significant influence over the political landscape of Ethiopia. Under this leadership,
Ethiopia adopted a new constitution that established the country as a federal democratic
1 Pew Research Center, “Orthodox Christians are highly religious in Ethiopia, much less so in former Soviet
Union,” by Travis Mitchell, published November 8, 2017, accessed September 15, 2023,
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2017/11/08/orthodox-christians-are-highly-religious-in-ethiopia-muchless-so-in-former-soviet-union/
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republic. The new political system divided the country into regional states based on ethnic lines,
thereby intertwining ethnic identity and politics. While this structure aimed to address the
diverse ethnic composition of the country, it has been a source of tensions and conflicts.
Under the governance of the EPRDF coalition, Ethiopia has witnessed significant strides in
poverty reduction, infrastructure development, and sustained economic growth. However, these
developmental achievements have been overshadowed by the government’s authoritarian
tendencies. The EPRDF systematically excluded its opponents from Ethiopia’s political
landscape and engaged in brutal repression against dissenters and public protesters. These
actions sparked widespread civil unrest, with significant protests erupting nationwide from
2016 to 2018, calling for an end to authoritarian practices and advocating for political reform.
This period of intense civil discontent led to a pivotal shift within the government, notably
marked by the appointment of Abiy Ahmed, an ethnically Oromo leader, as Prime Minister in
2018.
After coming to power, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed dissolved the EPRDF party to
form the currently ruling Prosperity Party in 2019. Initially, he was regarded as a beacon of
hope by many Ethiopians and received international support. Notably, he was awarded the 2019
Nobel Peace Prize for formalizing a peace treaty between Ethiopia and Eritrea in 2018.
Despite the early optimism, not all was positive in the aftermath of the transition. Under Prime
Minister Abiy Ahmed’s leadership, serious human rights issues emerged. In the initial years of
his tenure, the country grappled with atrocities where, oftentimes, security officials were
criticized for their inadequate response in protecting civilians. Furthermore, in 2020, a grave
conflict erupted in the Tigray region, the northernmost part of Ethiopia, pitting the Tigray
People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) against the federal government’s Prosperity Party. This
conflict eventually involved a number of players and led to a humanitarian crisis before ending
with a truce in November 2022.
Nevertheless, the country continued to witness mass atrocities elsewhere in the country,
predominantly targeting the Amhara ethnic group. These acts were primarily attributed to armed
rebel factions, notably the “Oromo Liberation Army” (OLA). Amidst these tensions, in April
2023, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced plans to disband the Amhara regional security
forces, known as the Amhara Special Forces (ASF), intending to integrate them into a
centralized army. This decision was met with significant resistance from the Amhara
community, who, already subjected to severe persecution, protested vehemently. They feared
that the dissolution of the ASF would exacerbate their vulnerability and expose them to further
violence. Following this decision, a considerable number of former ASF members defected to
join ‘Fano’, a decentralized militia already operating in the region composed mainly of young
volunteer fighters. This situation led to a significant deterioration of the security situation in the
Amhara region, culminating in the declaration of a state of emergency in August 2023.
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B. Background of the Amhara Population
The Amhara people are the second most populous ethnic group in Ethiopia and have played a
significant role in the country’s history. Most of the population resides in the Amhara Region,
located in the north-central part of Ethiopia. They speak Amharic, which is arguably the second
most spoken Semitic language in the world2
. Over time, the language has transcended its
regional boundaries to become a lingua franca across Ethiopia.
In the medieval era, rulers from the Amhara ethnic group are credited for being pivotal to the
creation of Christian kingdoms within Ethiopia. This influence continued into modern times, as
Amhara leaders played a key role in shaping the political and administrative structure of a
modern Ethiopia. Subsequently, they’ve had a considerable influence on the nation’s politics
and culture. However, this influence has been a source of tension as other ethnic groups,
particularly the Oromos and Tigrayans, fostered a sense of marginalisation.
The grievances between the Oromo, Tigray, and Amhara ethnic groups have manifested
themselves in deeply troubling ways, escalating to violence, ethnic cleansings, and mass
atrocities. The situation has reached a critical level since the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came
to power in 2018.
II. Ethnic Violence and Genocidal Tendencies in Ethiopia
The Amhara people have been subjected to recurring massacres, especially in the last five years.
These acts of violence are orchestrated by armed groups and often involve the complicity or
passive acquiescence of local authorities. Far from being isolated events, these massacres form
part of a broader pattern of systemic violence aimed at the Amhara community.
A. The Burayu Massacre
Between September 14 and 16 in 2018, a series of violent events unfolded in the Burayu district
near Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa3
. These events coincided with the return of leaders from
the exiled Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), a group advocating for the self-determination of the
Oromo people. While the return of the OLF leaders was intended to mark a moment of
reconciliation, it instead served as a backdrop for a surge in ethnic violence.
2 Babbel Magazine, “All In The Language Family: The Semitic Languages,” accessed September 15, 2023,
https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/semitic-languages. See also, Boston University Libraries, “Research:
Language Learning – Amharic,” accessed November 7, 2023, https://library.bu.edu/amharic
3 Reuters, “At least 23 die in weekend of Ethiopia ethnic violence,” by Aaron Maasho, published September 17,
2018, accessed September 6, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ethiopia-violence-idUSKCN1LX0VK
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Mobs of Oromo youth took to the streets, targeting the homes and businesses of all ethnic
minorities, most of whom were Amharas. The mobs were heard chanting “leave our land” as
they carried out acts of looting and violence. Illustrating the scale of the tragedy, Reuters quoted
a witness as saying: “During the night, there were several corpses along the roads”. Even though
the numbers are suspected to be higher, the confirmed death toll of this massacre is of 23
people4
.
Witnesses who spoke to the local media stressed their shock in regard to the barbaric violence
as well as their frustration at the inaction of government authorities. During an interview on
Ethiopian Broadcasting Service, a prominent Ethiopian media platform, one individual
conveyed his dismay at the situation. He questioned, “What have we done, we’re not
politicians.5″
Regarding the ineffectiveness of law enforcement, the same witness noted that although the
police responded to calls for assistance, their actions upon arrival are markedly passive.
Specifically, he stated that the officers remained in the periphery of the crime scenes, claiming
that they lacked the authorization to intervene.
This event has profoundly unsettled the nation, marking a seminal moment as it may be the first
instance of ethnic violence encroaching upon the vicinity of the capital. The subsequent
incidents reveal a more targeted animus, particularly against the Amhara and Orthodox
communities.
B. A Series of Attacks on Christians in Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, 2018 and 2019 were marked by a worrying upsurge in arson attacks on churches.
According to the Amhara Professional Union (APU), over the course of these two years, some
30 churches have been attacked across the country, with more than half burnt to the ground6
.
Most of the churches were burned down, mainly in eastern and southern Ethiopia. Elias
Gebreselassie, a journalist based in Addis Ababa, gave his opinion on the matter to New African
Magasine at the time and said7
“The burning of churches could lead to a wider distrust within
society and could be a time-bomb. Also, in eastern and southern Ethiopia, many people
associate the Orthodox Church with northern Ethiopia or specifically, ethnic Amharas, so it
could deepen political polarization.” Indeed, this led to a reinforcement of the attribution of the
Orthodox faith in Ethiopia to the “Northerners.”
4
Ibidem.
5 ebstv worldwide, “አዲስ ነገር ወቅታዊ እና አዲስ መረጃ(የቡራዩ አካባቢ ተፈናቃዮች)/Whats new breaking News sept
16,” YouTube, published September 16, 2018, accessed September 15, 2023,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z15L5o3h72k&ab_channel=ebstvworldwide
6 Global Issues, “Ethiopia’s ‘Hate Speech’ Law Risks Strangling the Freedom of the Press,” published October 12,
2019, accessed September 15, 2023, https://www.globalissues.org/news/2019/10/12/25743
7 New African Magazine, “Ethiopia: The ‘fastest growing economy’ that still leaves nearly half in poverty,”
accessed September 15, 2023, https://newafricanmagazine.com/20840/
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In October 2019, the event commonly known as the “October 2019 Ethiopian Clashes” proved
to be highly revealing of the targeted victims. A prominent Oromo activist, strongly accused by
the Amhara community of spreading hate speech and inciting massacres, had claimed that
security forces were trying to orchestrate an attack against him. Following this statement
published on his Facebook page, crowds of young Oromo took to the streets in protest. Very
quickly, the demonstration turned into a riot that cost the lives of at least 67 people. According
to a church spokesman who spoke to AFP, 52 of the dead were members of the Ethiopian
Orthodox Church8
. These mob killings were seen as a direct attack on the Ethiopian Orthodox
Church and prompted a reaction from the Vatican, with Pope Francis expressing his “closeness
to this beloved Church and her patriarch”, asking believers to pray for the persecuted Christians
in Ethiopia9
.
The efforts of certain Oromo factions to transpose ethnic tensions onto religious terrain reached
a climax in January 2023 when three Oromo archbishops of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church
rebelled and formed a new “Oromo” synod10. This schism was state sponsored, but widely
rejected by the population. Therefore, it caused a massive social upheaval and extensive
demonstrations with believers barring these bishops from presiding over their places of worship
and conducting liturgical ceremonies. This led to the intervention of the Oromo special forces
in support of the new synod which exacerbated the discord, culminating in violent encounters
between security forces and churchgoers. These violent incidents resulted in the loss of multiple
lives, most notably at St. Michael Church in Shashemene, where law enforcement resorted to
the use of live rounds against the assembly on February 4, 202311.
In recent months, violent incidents targeting the faithful have intensified in number. On the 23rd
and 27th November 2023, a series of attacks took place in three villages in the Arsi zone of the
Oromia region12. Over these two days, a total of 36 Orthodox Christians were forcibly taken
from their homes and subsequently executed. The ages of the victims varied widely, from a 28-
day-old infant to a 70-year-old elderly individual. A testimony provided to The Voice Of
America (VOA) highlighted that the assailants targeted these individuals due to their Christian
faith and their possession of Amhara associated names13.
8
France 24, “Orthodox Ethiopians criticise PM Abiy over deadly clashes,” published October 27, 2019, accessed
September 15, 2023, https://www.france24.com/en/20191027-orthodox-ethiopians-criticise-pm-abiy-overdeadly-clashes
9 Catholic News Agency, “Pope Francis asks for prayer for persecuted Christians in Ethiopia,” accessed
September 15, 2023, https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/42711/pope-francis-asks-for-prayer-forpersecuted-christians-in-ethiopia
10 Reuters, “Ethiopian Orthodox Church reaches deal with breakaway Oromo synod,” published February 16,
2023, accessed November 14, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopian-orthodox-churchreaches-deal-with-breakaway-oromo-synod-2023-02-16/
11 European Centre for Law and Justice, “Ethnic schism: A delicate way out of a crisis for Ethiopia,” accessed
November 14, 2023, https://eclj.org/religious-autonomy/un/schisme-ethnique–delicate-sorite-de-crise-enethiopie
12 Voice of America Amharic, “በሺርካ ወረዳ ሃይማኖት የለየ በተባለ ጥቃት 36 ምእመናን ሲገደሉ ቀሪዎቹ እንደሸሹ ተገለጸ”,
published November 30, 2023, accessed March 13, 2024, https://amharic.voanews.com/a/east-arsikilling/7378932.html
13 Ibidem.
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The same region bore witness to another attack on December 4, 2023. This subsequent attack
mirrored the previous in its approach, involving the abduction of individuals from their homes
and their execution14. This incident resulted in 5 fatalities and the arson of 3 residential
properties. Similarly to the previous attacks, a witness reported that the victims spoke
Amharic15
. While the identity of the perpetrators remains uncertain, the government has
suggested the involvement of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in these acts16.
In the wake of these tragic events, the Patriarchate Head Office of the Ethiopian Orthodox
Church issued a vehement condemnation of the attacks, calling for the government to enhance
protective measures for the increasingly persecuted faithful and to conduct thorough
investigations to ensure justice for the victims and their families17.
However, the violence did not abate. On December 28, 2023, Christian pilgrims were brutally
attacked as they returned from the annual feast of the Archangel Saint Gabriel at Kulubi, a
significant pilgrimage site in Ethiopia18. Near the town of Metehara, the group encountered
gunmen who launched a sudden assault, resulting in eight deaths and ten abductions among the
pilgrims. A witness recounted to Addis Standard, a national news magazine, that the assailants
“torched vehicles and fired upon us as we were returning from the Kulubi St. Gebreal
celebration19.”
Furthermore, on February 16, 2024, four clergymen were kidnapped from the Ziquala Debre
Kewakibt Abune Gebre Menfes Kidus Monastery in the Oromia region20. These individuals
were Aba Teklemariam Asrat, the monastery’s head administrator; Kidanemariam Tilahun, the
secretary; Aba Gebremariam Abebe, a religious teacher and priest; and Hailemariam
Woldesenbet, a monk21. Tragically, they were killed on February 17, 2024, and their bodies
14 Voice of America Amharic, “በሺርካ ወረዳ ‘ሃይማኖት የተለየ’ በተባለ ጥቃት ተጨማሪ አምስት ምእመናን እንደተገደሉ
ተገለጸ”, published December 5, 2023, accessed March 12, 2024, https://amharic.voanews.com/a/arsi-morekillings/7385354.html, See also, MK TV, “ዜና ተዋሕዶ || ትኩረት ያጣው የኦርቶዶክሳውያን ግድያ,” YouTube, published
December 5, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpE8ef_ta7g
15 Voice of America Amharic, “በሺርካ ወረዳ ‘ሃይማኖት የተለየ’ በተባለ ጥቃት ተጨማሪ አምስት ምእመናን እንደተገደሉ
ተገለጸ”, published December 5, 2023, accessed March 12, 2024, https://amharic.voanews.com/a/arsi-morekillings/7385354.html (timestamp from 1 :20 to 1:30).
16 Addis Standard, “News: 45 believers killed in two separate attacks in Arsi and Kellem Wollega zones, Oromia
region,” published December 1, 2023, accessed March 12, 2024, https://addisstandard.com/news-45-believerskilled-in-two-separate-attacks-in-arsi-and-kellem-wollega-zones-oromia-region/
17 Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Patriarchate Head Office, “በአርሲ ዞን አንዳንድ ወረዳዎች በኦርቶዶክሳውያን
ላይ የተፈጸመውን ግድያ የጠቅላይ ቤተክህነት አስተዳደር ጉባኤ አወገዘ።”, published December 5, 2023, accessed March
13, 2024, https://eotceth.org/a/2023/12/
18 Orthodoxy Cognate PAGE, “Gunmen Target Ethiopian Orthodox Pilgrims Returning from an Annual Feast,”
published January 1, 2024, accessed March 14, 2024, https://ocpsociety.org/gunmen-target-ethiopianorthodox-pilgrims-returning-from-an-annual-feast/
19 Addis Standard, “News: Eight killed, 10 more abducted as civilians return from St. Gabriel celebration in
Kulubi,” published January 2, 2024, accessed March 11, 2024, https://addisstandard.com/news-eight-killedanother-10-abducted-as-civilians-return-from-st-gabriel-celebration-in-kulubi/
20 BBC Tigrinya, “ቤተ ክርስትያን ኦርቶዶክስ ተዋህዶ ኢትዮጵያ፡ ኣርባዕተ ፈለስቲ ብዕጡቓት ከምዝተቐተልዋ ኣፍሊጣ”,
published February 24, 2024, accessed March 16, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/tigrinya/articles/c6pqeege3e2o,
See also, VOA Amharic, “የዝቋላ ገዳማውያንን በገደሉ ታጣቂዎች ላይ ርምጃ እየተወሰደ ነው – የኦሮሚያ ክልል,” published
February 23, 2024, accessed March 16, 2024, https://amharic.voanews.com/a/ziquala-monasterykilling/7500155.html
21 Wazema, “Wazema Daily News, Feb 22” published February 22, 2024, accessed March 18, 2024,
https://wazema.substack.com/p/wazema-daily-news-feb-22
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were later recovered from a forest. They received a proper Christian burial on February 24,
- In response to this act, the church released a statement attributing the kidnapping and
killings to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and called upon the government to intensify its
efforts in safeguarding the security of its citizens, emphasizing the urgent need for heightened
vigilance22
.
This issue of religious persecution has not been confined to the Orthodox community in
Ethiopia. On November 24, 2023, a separate incident in the Gidami district of the Kellem
Wollega zone highlighted the broader vulnerability of Christians in the country. Nine
individuals, part of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), were
kidnapped while participating in an overnight prayer service23. According to Lalisa Daniel
(PhD), head of the Evangelism and Theology department at the EECMY, who spoke to the
BBC, the victims were church leaders and organizers engaged in prayers and preparations for
the Sunday service24. These individuals were abducted by unidentified armed men during their
prayers and found deceased two days later.
C. The Shashemene Massacres
The “Shahsemene Massacres” revealed the ethno-religious character of this persecution. On
June 29, 2020, a renowned Oromo singer and political activist was assassinated in Ethiopia,
leading to massive protests that escalated into a premeditated massacre. In the subsequent
weeks, a group identifying as “Queroo” (literally translating to youth in Oromo language)
targeted Amhara and Orthodox believers in the Oromia region. Towns including Shashemene,
Arsi, Dera, and Zeway witnessed significant destruction, with properties of non-Oromo
ethnicities being vandalized and burned. The violence resulted in an estimated 239 casualties.
A harrowing account from a survivor details the brutal killing of his nine-month-pregnant wife
in front of their children. “They killed her because she is an Orthodox Christian” he recalls,
“They said that Christian children should not be born, Amhara children should not be born”25.
According to the head of the Western Arsi diocese, the mob targeted Orthodox Christians of all
ethnicities in his area, giving the massacres a purely religious dimension. The NGO “Minority
22 Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Patriarchate Head Office, “በታላቁ ዝቋላ ደብረ ከዋክብት አቡነ ገብረ መንፈስ
ቅዱስ ገዳም የተፈፀመውን ጥቃት አስመልክቶ በምሥራቅ ሸዋ ዞን ዋና አስተዳዳሪ የተመራ ውይይት ተካሄደ,” published
February 23, 2024, accessed March 12, 2024, https://eotceth.org/a/በታላቁ-ዝቋላ-ደብረ-ከዋክብት-አቡነ-ገብረ/
23 Addis Standard, “News: 45 believers killed in two separate attacks in Arsi and Kellem Wollega zones, Oromia
region,” published December 1, 2023, accessed March 12, 2024, https://addisstandard.com/news-45-believerskilled-in-two-separate-attacks-in-arsi-and-kellem-wollega-zones-oromia-region/
24 BBC Afaan Oromoo, “Gidaamitti ‘amantoonni sagal waldaa keessaa baafamanii ajjeefaman’ – Waldaa
Makaana Yasuus,” published December 1, 2023, accessed March 18, 2024,
https://www.bbc.com/afaanoromoo/articles/c6pelpr46e9o
25 Justice&Peace4Ethiopia [@JP4Ethiopia]. (2020, August 16). “Translated in English: @amnesty @EthioHRC
@humanrights1st @MinorityRights #justice4ethiopia #peace4ethiopia #Justiceandpeace4Ethiopia #Ethiopia”,
Twitter, Accessed September 15, 2023, https://twitter.com/JP4Ethiopia/status/1294864026913169410, See also, @GurageFirst. (2020, August 4), Twitter, Accessed September 15, 2023,
https://twitter.com/GurageFirst/status/1290682767097892865
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Rights Group” reported26 that the attacks were well-prepared and that the rioters had a list of
names and went from house to house checking ID cards and conducting massacres accordingly
to the list. According to reports from the same NGO, police forces in these areas have been of
no help, as they claimed they were not authorized to intervene. In cases where victims have
attempted to defend themselves, the Oromia region’s special forces have attacked them. This
information points to clear complicity on the part of the government.
D. Amhara Massacres in Wollega
Several devastating incidents in Wollega have highlighted a pattern of severe human rights
abuses against the Amhara community in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. One such incident
occurred on November 1, 2020, in Gawa Qanqa, a village in the Guliso District of West Wollega
Zone27. As reported by Amnesty International, this atrocity saw the brutal massacre of at least
54 individuals from the Amhara ethnic group28. This violent assault, allegedly carried out by
the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), occurred just a day after the Ethiopian Defense Forces’
sudden and enigmatic departure from the region. In a desperate bid for safety, local residents
pleaded the leaving troops to stay, with some going to the extent of forcibly entering the
departing military vehicles, afraid of the impending danger29. The circumstances and timing of
the military’s withdrawal have sparked significant criticism and suspicion, suggesting the
involvement of state actors in the orchestration of these massacres.
The attack was marked by its systematic and targeted nature, with assailants focusing on
Amhara civilians, specifically women and children30. Victims were forcibly extracted from their
homes and herded into a local school. In a harrowing display of intimidation, the attackers
showed the gathered victims graphic images of dismembered and decapitated individuals on
their phones and laptops, ominously declaring, “Today is your turn” and “You will be finished”31
(our translation). The victims were then made to lie down, after which the assailants
indiscriminately fired upon them with automatic rifles.
26 Minority Rights Group International, “Recent violence in Ethiopia’s Oromia region shows hallmark signs of ethnic cleansing, says MRG,” published July 22, 2020, accessed September 15, 2023,
https://minorityrights.org/2020/07/22/ethnic-cleansing-oromia/
27 Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, “Wollega zone: Massacre of civilians,” published by November 2, 2020, accessed November 13, 2023, https://ehrc.org/wollega-zone-massacre-of-civilians/
28 Amnesty International, “Ethiopia: Over 50 ethnic Amhara killed in attack on village by armed group,”
published November 2, 2020, accessed November 7, 2023, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/pressrelease/2020/11/ethiopia-over-50-ethnic-amhara-killed-in-attack-on-village-by-armed-group/
29 Amhara Media Centre, “ሰበር ዜና – በትምህርት ቤት ውስጥ ሰብስበው ጨረሷቸው”, Youtube, published 2
November 2020, accessed November 15, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrF2QToQeuE
(timestamp: 4:20 to 4:40).
30 Amnesty International, “Ethiopia: Over 50 ethnic Amhara killed in attack on village by armed group,”
published November 2, 2020, accessed November 7, 2023, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/pressrelease/2020/11/ethiopia-over-50-ethnic-amhara-killed-in-attack-on-village-by-armed-group/
31 Amhara Media Centre, “ሰበር ዜና – በትምህርት ቤት ውስጥ ሰብስበው ጨረሷቸው”, Youtube, published 2
November 2020, accessed November 15, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrF2QToQeuE
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Similarly, on June 18, 2022, the Amhara community in Wollega within the Oromia region of
Ethiopia, was brutally slaughtered in what is now known as the Gimbi massacre32. The
perpetrator was reportedly the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) terrorist group; however, the
armed force has denied responsibility and claims that government forces are responsible for
this killing. The victim count is between 400 and 554 people. According to an investigative
report by the Amhara Association of America (AAA),13 people were killed by being burned
alive and “in at least two cases, pregnant women had their wombs cut open with a knife33”. A
witness that spoke to Human Rights Watch reports hearing the gunmen say “We are heroes, and
no one can escape from us. We will kill you all34″. The massacre lasted around 8 hours and
government forces did not interfere despite the pleas of the people. They claimed they were
unable to respond because the roads were closed35. They only appeared hours after the attackers
left the area36
.
On July 4th, 2022, just mere weeks after the Gimbi massacre, the OLA terrorist group
committed another massacre in the same region within the Qelem Wollega zone37. The victim
count is between 150 and 30838 people. The modus operandi remained the same, as they targeted
and killed members of the Amhara ethnic group. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
reported that the vast majority of the deceased were children and women39. An eyewitness from
a nearby town, upon witnessing the aftermath, described the scene as “beyond human
comprehension40,” noting particularly that “Two-months and three-months old infants[…] were
32 Human Rights Watch, “Ethiopia: Civilians in Western Oromia Left Unprotected.” published on August 31,2022, accessed September 15, 2023, https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/31/ethiopia-civilians-westernoromia-left-unprotected 33 Amhara Association of America. (2022). ““It Seems Like The Whole Population Is Killed”: An Interim Report on the June 18th, 2022 Amhara Massacre in the Tole Kebele, Gimbi Woreda, West Wollega Zone of Ethiopia’s Oromia Region by Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) militants.”, accessed September 15, 2023,
https://www.amharaamerica.org/post/june-18th-2022-amhara-massacre-in-the-tole-kebele-west-wollega-byolf
34 Human Rights Watch, “Ethiopia: Civilians in Western Oromia Left Unprotected.” published August 31, 2022,
accessed September 15, 2023, https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/08/31/ethiopia-civilians-western-oromia-leftunprotected
35 Amnesty International, “Ethiopia: Authorities must investigate massacre of ethnic Amhara in Tole,” published
July 2022, accessed September 6, 2023, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/07/ethiopiaauthorities-must-investigate-massacre-of-ethnic-amhara-in-tole/
36 Ibidem.
37 BBC Amharic. “ኦሮሚያ ክልል፡ በቄለም ወለጋ ዞን በተፈፀመ ጥቃት ቢያንስ 150 ሰዎች መገደላቸውን የዐይን እማኞች
ተናገሩ.” published July 5, 2022, accessed September 15, 2023,
https://www.bbc.com/amharic/articles/cd1k52n7429o
38 Amhara Association of America, “They attacked us for the simple reason of being Amhara,” published July 10,
2022, accessed November 15, 2023, https://www.amharaamerica.org/post/they-attacked-us-for-the-simplereason-of-being-amhara
39 BBC Amharic. “ኦሮሚያ ክልል፡ በቄለም ወለጋ ዞን በተፈፀመ ጥቃት ቢያንስ 150 ሰዎች መገደላቸውን የዐይን እማኞች
ተናገሩ.” published July 5, 2022, accessed September 15, 2023,
https://www.bbc.com/amharic/articles/cd1k52n7429o “የዐይን እማኞቹ […] አብዛኞቹ የጥቃቱ ሰለባዎች የወራት
እድሜ ያላቸው ጨቅላ ሕጻናት፣ ሴቶች እና አረጋውያን መሆናቸውን ገልጸዋል” Our translation, “Eyewitnesses reported
that most of the victims were infants, women and elderly people”
40 Ibidem “ከዚያም ወደ ስፍራው ሲደርስ ያየውን ነገር “ከአዕምሮ በላይ ነው” ሲል ገልጾታል።”Our translation, “ Once he
got there, he described what he saw as ‘Above human comprehension’”
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cruelly massacred41”. The attack was characterized by the use of a variety of weapons, including
bombs, guns, and bladed weapons, suggesting a level of preparation and premeditation. State
actors are once again accused of complicity in this massacre, as security forces showed up only
hours after the incident.
This distressing series of massacres—ranging from the Burayu massacre in 2018, the
Shashemene massacre in 2020, to multiple incidents in 2020 and 2021 including the Mai Kadra,
Metekel, Ataye, Chenna, Kombolcha, and Kobo massacres—bears testament to this ongoing
crisis.
E. The Metekel Massacres
From 2020 to 2021, the Metekel Zone in Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz region became the
epicenter of massacres targeting the Amhara community along with other minorities. A notably
severe attack took place on the night of December 22nd, extending into the early hours of
December 23rd, 202042. This assault, suspected to be the work of Gumuz fighters, led to an
estimated 222 fatalities and displaced approximately 40,000 individuals43. The village was
reportedly “surrounded by up to 500 gunmen”
44 that night who inflicted several hours of terror
upon the community. The executions were methodically carried out through the use of firearms,
arrows45 and the deliberate burning of houses as the “armed group shot at residents and set fire
to their homes as they lay asleep”46
. This brutal massacre followed closely on the heels of
another incident that occurred on November 14, 2020, targeting a bus traveling in the zone.
During this earlier event, 34 people from the Amhara and Agew communities were killed by
Gumuz militiamen47. Amnesty International’s analysis of the November incident highlighted
41 Ibid., p.7 “የሁለትና የሦስት ወር ሕጻናት፣ […] በግፍ ተገድለዋል።” Our translation, “Two-months and threemonths old infants […] were cruelly massacred”
42 Ethiopian Citizen, “Benishangul Gumuz Crisis: 207 civilians gruesomely slaughtered says Ethiopian rights
group,” published December 26, 2020, accessed November 3, 2023,
https://www.ethiopiancitizen.com/2020/12/207-civilians-gruesomely-slaughtered-says-Ethiopian-rightsgroup.html
43 Sky News, “Ethiopia: 222 killed in village massacre as ethnic tensions flare – Red Cross,” published December
23, 2020, accessed November 3, 2023, https://news.sky.com/story/ethiopia-222-killed-in-village-massacre-asethnic-tensions-flare-red-cross-12172583
44 Addis Standard, “News Alert: Eyewitnesses say more than 90 killed in fresh attack in Bulen Wereda,
Benishangul Gumuz; region cautions civilians to join safe villages,” published December 23, 2020, accessed
November 3, 2023, https://addisstandard.com/news-alert-eyewitnesses-say-more-than-90-killed-in-freshattack-in-bulen-wereda-benishangul-gumuz-region-cautions-civilians-to-join-safe-villages/
45 Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO), “Metekel case that requires an immediate, pragmatic, and lasting
solution,” December 25, 2020, accessed November 3, 2023, https://ehrco.org/wpcontent/uploads/2020/12/Metekel-case-that-requires-a-quick-pragmatic-and-lasting-solution..pdf
46 Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, “Benishangul-Gumuz region: Protection of civilians is the primary duty
of the government,” published December 24, 2020, accessed November 3, 2023, https://ehrc.org/benishangulgumuz-protection-of-civilians-is-the-primary-duty-of-the-government/
47 Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, “Benishangul-Gumuz region: Swift coordinated action important to
improve safety and security,” published November 15, 2020, accessed November 3, 2023,
https://ehrc.org/benishangul-gumuz-region-swift-coordinated-action-important-to-improve-safety-andsecurity/
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that the assailants used the term ‘Qey,’ literally translating to ‘red,’ as an apparent epithet to
denote the fair skin color of the victims, thereby accentuating the ethnically motivated nature
of these attacks48
.
Tragically, these events are far from being isolated. Similar massacres occurred in September
2020, claiming 45 lives49, and in October 2020, resulting in at least 14 fatalities50. The relentless
pattern of violence extended into the following year, with an attack on January 12, 2021, leaving
82 civilians dead and 22 injured51. The most recent reports from the region, recounts yet another
atrocity, with 17 more individuals falling victim to these ongoing massacres on July 7, 202352
.
This reminds us of the constant persecution faced by the Amhara people in the region.
The testimonies provided by survivors paint a bone-chilling and profoundly disturbing picture
of the atrocities committed. The narratives relayed by survivors reveal a spectrum of brutality,
encompassing decapitations and dismemberments, as well as the heinous act of cannibalistic
consumption of the dead53. The savagery of these acts did not discriminate, tragically affecting
children as well. In a heartrending account shared with Reuters, a witness recounted the
discovery of an infant, a mere six months old, who had been brutally slain in her home and “her
little body thrown in a field”54
.
The ongoing violence and massacres in Metekel point to the government’s failure to protect the
Amhara community and other vulnerable minorities within the region. Despite persistent
appeals for decisive action from both human rights organizations and local inhabitants,
governmental responses have been notably insufficient. Disturbingly, eyewitness testimonies
48 Amnesty International, “Ethiopia: At least 100 dead in surge of violence against ethnic minorities,” published
December 23, 2020, accessed November 3, 2023, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/pressrelease/2020/12/ethiopia-at-least-100-dead-surge-of-violence-against-ethnic-minorities/
49 Ibidem.
50 Euronews, “More than 100 killed in latest ethnic massacre in Ethiopia,” published December 23, 2020,
accessed November 3, 2023, https://www.euronews.com/2020/12/23/more-than-100-killed-in-latest-ethnicmassacre-in-ethiopia
51 Al Jazeera, “Over 80 civilians killed in latest west Ethiopia attack,” published January 13, 2021, accessed
November 3, 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/13/over-80-killed-in-west-ethiopia-attack-rightscommission
52 Genocide Prevention in Ethiopia [@GPEthiopia]. “Gumuz armed groups have carried out a horrific massacre
against ethnic Amharas…” Twitter, July 7, 2023. Accessed November 3, 2023.
https://twitter.com/GPEthiopia/status/1678417364818206720
53 Amhara Professionals Union, “Call for Accountability and Justice”, published February 14, 2022, accessed
September 6, 2023,
https://www.ambapu.org/sites/default/files/202202/APU%20Press%20Release%20%5B2022-02-14%5D.pdf
p.2, “There have also been reports of cannibalism and drinking the blood of deceased victims […]” See also,
YouTube, “The horrific accounts of the ordeals of Amharas of Metekel, Ethiopia”, by Crimewatch, published on
13 Apr 2021. Unlisted documentary on a massacre, containing extremely graphic content. Between 29 mins:45
secs and 30 mins:32 secs of the documentary, two men testify that acts of cannibalism took place during a
massacre. Link available upon request, accessed September 6, 2023. See also, Twitter [@JP4Ethiopia]; posted
on October 15, 2020, accessed September 6, 2023,
https://twitter.com/JP4Ethiopia/status/1316549559234031617
54 Reuters, “At least 12 people killed in western Ethiopia,” by Dawit Endeshaw and Giulia Paravicini, published
October 13, 2020, accessed November 3, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/article/ozatp-us-ethiopia-violenceidAFKBN26Y1UH-OZATP
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suggest a situation that transcends mere negligence. There are allegations indicating possible
involvement or tacit approval by regional administration officials in these egregious acts55
.
These grave allegations cast doubt on the integrity of regional governance and underscore the
urgent necessity for an open investigation and the enforcement of accountability.
It is worth noting that the situation in Metekel has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian
situation in Ethiopia, with UNOCHA reporting that at least 101,000 individuals have been
compelled to flee their homes due to the unrest56. Currently, these displaced persons remain
within the country’s borders; however, should the turmoil continue, it is likely to influence
international migration trends, which are already under strain.
F. Forced displacement of the Amhara community
Since January 1, 2023, there have been consistent reports of the government orchestrating
discriminatory displacements, targeting primarily non-Oromos, especially Amharas, in the
vicinity of the capital57
. Tens of thousands of houses were demolished in this context58. While
the government justifies these actions by labeling the houses as “illegal settlements” needed for
the “Sheger City” project, their motives come into question. Dr. Teshome Adugna, the mayor
of Sheger City, when questioned about the selective nature of these demolitions, responded that
they aimed to avoid displacing the “indigenous” people59
. The Ethiopian Human Rights
Commission found that the house demolitions included features of ethnic discrimination60
. This
effectively creates a system of segregation in which certain citizens are accorded more rights
than others.
55 Genocide Prevention in Ethiopia [@GPEthiopia]. “Gumuz armed groups have carried out a horrific massacre
against ethnic Amharas…” Twitter, July 7, 2023. Accessed November 3, 2023.
https://twitter.com/GPEthiopia/status/1678417364818206720 See also, Justice & Peace for Ethiopia
[@JP4Ethiopia]. “Amhara woman describing how the regional forces enforce the ethnic cleansing WITH
SUBTITLES.” Twitter, October 15, 2020. Accessed November 3, 2023.
https://twitter.com/JP4Ethiopia/status/1316549795956359168
56 United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “Ethiopia: Benishangul Gumuz Region –
Flash Update, 6 January 2021,” accessed November 3, 2023,
https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/ethiopia/ethiopia-benishangul-gumuz-region-flash-update-6-
january-2021
57 Amhara Association of America, “Report on Home Demolitions and Forced Evictions of Amharas in the Newly
Established Sheger City Administration of the Oromia Region: A City that Denies Amhara Existence in their
Homeland of Ethiopia,” published May 14, 2023, accessed September 15, 2023,
https://www.amharaamerica.org/_files/ugd/e494ca_070ed9eaf6ee49ae82164cb626f34da4.pdf
58 Ibidem.
59 EBC, “ብርቱ ወግ:- በሸገር ከተማ ምስረታ ላይ ከከተማው ከንቲባ ዶ/ር ተሾመ አዱኛ ጋር የተደረገ ቆይታ (ክፍል 2) Etv |
Ethiopia | News,” published June 20, 2023, accessed September 15, 2023,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZWANsBuTVk&t=301s&ab_channel=EBC
60 Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, “Newly formed Sheger City breaches human rights law: report – The
Reporter Ethiopia,” accessed September 15, 2023, https://ehrc.org/newly-formed-sheger-city-breaches-humanrights-law-report-the-reporter-ethiopia/
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III. Military Operations in the Amhara Region
In response to escalating security issues in the Amhara region, Ethiopia’s government instituted
a state of emergency on August 4, 2023. Subsequent reports reveal a concerning pattern of
human rights abuses since this declaration.
A. Drone Attacks on Civilians in the Amhara Region
There are several reports indicating the use of drones against civilians in the Amhara region
since the declaration of the state of emergency. On Sunday, August 13, 2023, a drone attack
took place in the central town of Finote Selam in the Amhara region, killing at least 26 civilians
and injuring 55 others61
.
While describing his experience in treating the victims of the drone attack, a hospital official
informed the AFP news agency that all the individuals who arrived on Sunday were “wearing
either casual civilian clothing or Sunday traditional clothes”62, indicating that the victims were
most likely churchgoers. This attack, however, is far from being an isolated case.
On September 17, 2023, the Ethiopian government reportedly carried out drone strikes in the
towns of Kuarit and Dembecha, located in the Gojjam zone of the Amhara Region63. An
eyewitness provided in his testimony that the strikes in the town of Kuarit targeted areas that
were notably distant from any active conflict zones. To describe the indiscriminate nature of
these strikes, he stated that “peaceful people travelling in large numbers have been targeted”64
(our translation). The estimated casualties from the drone strike in Kuarit are 30 civilians.
Concurrently, in Dembecha, another drone strike resulted in the tragic loss of 18 lives.
In a disturbing continuation of aerial attacks on civilians within the Amhara region, another
drone strike occurred on October 16, 2023, this time targeting Berehet Woreda. Reports indicate
that this assault resulted in the deaths of 35 Amhara civilians65, including a 19-month-old
61 Le Monde with AFP, “Air strike kills at least 26 in Ethiopia’s Amhara,” published August 15, 2023, accessed
September 15, 2023, https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/08/15/air-strike-kills-at-least-26-
in-ethiopia-s-amhara_6093248_4.html
62 George Wright, “Ethiopia Amhara: Air strike kills at least 26 in Finote Selam,” BBC News, published August 8,
2023, accessed November 9, 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66502937
63 Ethiopia Observer, “Air strike kills at least 30 in Dembecha, Quarit,” published September 19, 2023, accessed
November 23, 2023, https://www.ethiopiaobserver.com/2023/09/19/air-strike-kills-at-least-30-in-dembechaquarit
64 BBC Amharic, “በምዕራብ ጎጃም በተፈጸሙ የድሮን ጥቃቶች ‘ከ30 በላይ ሰላማዊ ሰዎች መገደላቸውን’ ነዋሪዎች ተናገሩ,”
published September 19, 2023, accessed November 23, 2023,
https://www.bbc.com/amharic/articles/cv21y38zy71o. “በብዛት ተሰባስበው ይጓዙ የነበሩ ሰላማዊ ሰዎች ኢላማ
ተደርገዋል”
65 Amhara Association of America, “Abiy Ahmed Ali Regime’s Drone Strikes: 35 Amhara Civilians Killed, 27
Injured in Berehet Woreda,” published October 17, 2023, accessed November 21, 2023,
https://www.amharaamerica.org/post/abiy-ahmed-ali-regimes-drone-strikes-35-amhara-civilians-killed-27-
injured-in-berehet-woreda
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infant66. Shortly after this incident, another drone strike occurred in the region on October 19,
2023, resulting in the death of eight civilians67
.
The ongoing drone strikes against civilians in the Amhara region have prompted a reaction from
the international community. Seif Magango, the spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office,
recently addressed the severity of these incidents in a statement68. He pointed out that on
November 6, 2023, a drone strike targeted a primary school causing seven casualties, including
three teachers. In a separate incident on November 9, 2023, a drone strike occurred at a bus
station in Waber town, killing 13 people who were waiting to board a bus. Magango underlined
in his statement that “Such attacks amount to arbitrary deprivation of life under international
human rights law.”
B. Extrajudicial and Summary Killings
While drone strikes have been a prominent concern, other grave human rights issues in the
Amhara region demand attention. Among these, extrajudicial and summary killings have
emerged as a significant and troubling pattern.
On August 18, 2023, Amnesty International claimed to have “received allegations of massacres
and casualties in Finote Selam, Bahir Dar and Shewa Robit that merit further investigation69″.
Moreover, a recent report by The Guardian70 draws attention to accusations against Ethiopian
federal troops. These troops are alleged to have committed mass killings and looting in Majete,
a town in eastern Amhara. Witnesses describe the soldiers conducting house-to-house searches,
forcibly rounding up, and executing unarmed farmers. The estimated death toll from these
actions exceeds 70 civilians.
A particularly distressing eyewitness account, provided to The Guardian, sheds light on the
brutality of these operations. A resident of Majete recounted how federal troops forcibly entered
her home. “We were sitting in our house, locking the doors when the federal troops arrived,’”she
said. “I hoped they would pass our house when we did not answer their knock. But they broke
in and became angry […] They shot dead my husband in front of me. Then they said to me to
bury him, kicking his dead body as if he was not a human being.”
66 Reuters, “Conflict in Ethiopia’s Amhara Kills Dozens, Rights Body Says,” by Dawit Endeshaw, published
October 30, 2023, accessed November 21, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/conflict-ethiopiasamhara-kills-dozens-rights-body-says-2023-10-30/
67 Ibidem.
68 Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, “Ethiopia: Violence in Amhara region,”
statement by Seif Magango, November 17, 2023, accessed November 17, 2023,
https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2023/11/ethiopia-violence-amhara-region
69 Amnesty International, “Ethiopian authorities must allow independent investigators, media access to Amhara
region,” published August 18, 2023, accessed September 15, 2023,
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/08/ethiopia-authorities-must-grant-independent-investigatorsmedia-unfettered-access-to-amhara-region-to-probe-violations-under-state-of-emergency/
70 The Guardian, “Ethiopian troops accused of mass killings of civilians in Amhara region,” published September
8, 2023, accessed September 15, 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/globaldevelopment/2023/sep/08/ethiopian-troops-accused-mass-killings-amhara-civilians-region-fano-militia
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These allegations of extrajudicial killings have been furthermore substantiated by the Ethiopian
Human Rights Commission (EHRC). In a report published on September 15, 2023, the EHRC
confirmed the occurrence of such incidents in the Amhara region71. The report details instances
where individuals were accused of harboring Fano fighters or providing them with intelligence,
leading to their immediate execution. A particularly disturbing aspect revealed in the report is
the systematic nature of these executions, often occurring during door-to-door searches
conducted by the Ethiopian National Defense Forces.
Further emphasizing the severity of the human rights crisis in the Amhara region, the EHRC
released another significant report on October 30, 202372. This document brings to light a
particularly harrowing incident: the killing in Filseta Debre Maryam Church of 12 “Abinet”
students, which are young students of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church73. This killing is not an
isolated incident, but part of a larger pattern of government actions assaulting the sanctity of
the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and its followers.
The EHRC report also documented other distressing incidents. For instance, in West Gojjam
zone in the Amhara region, a man who had been wounded was seeking medical help. Aided by
his mother and his sister, he took a Bajaj, a common rural transport vehicle, to reach a health
facility. However, government security forces stopped their vehicle on the road. They accused
the injured man of being a combatant and executed him. According to eyewitnesses, the security
forces then indiscriminately executed his mother, his sister, and the Bajaj driver.
C. Mass arrests
The Amhara community in Ethiopia is facing an escalating wave of mass and arbitrary arrests.
In May 2023 alone, the government reportedly detained over 4,500 ethnic Amhara
individuals74. This number surged following the declaration of the state of emergency on August
4, 2023, with claims suggesting that around 14,000 Amhara individuals have since been
apprehended75. Many of these detainees find themselves in makeshift detention centers, with
schools being repurposed for this cause. Mothers were seen sitting on the porch of the
71 Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, “አማራ ክልል ከትጥቅ ግጭት ጋር በተያያዘ አደጋዎች እና የሰዎች መገደል,”
published September 15, 2023, accessed November 14, 2023, https://ehrc.org/አማራ-ክልል-ከትጥቅ-ግጭት-ጋርበተያያዘ-አ/.
72 Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, “አማራ ክልል ለወራት የቀጠለው የትጥቅ ግጭት እና የሰዎች መገደል,”
published October 30, accessed November 14, 2023, https://ehrc.org/አማራ-ክልል-ለወራት-የቀጠለው-የትጥቅግጭት.
73 Translated by Amhara Association in America, Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, “EHRC Press Release:
Ongoing Human Rights Violations in Amhara Region’s Armed Conflict,” published October 30, 2023, accessed
November 14, 2023, https://www.amharaamerica.org/post/ehrc-press-release-ongoing-human-rightsviolations-in-amhara-regions-armed-conflict
74 AP News, “Ethiopia’s mass arrests show rift with former Amhara allies,” published June 3, 2022, accessed
September 15, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/politics-kenya-africa-ethiopia-arrests324b72c41ce1d991db8ff222e8469887
75 APA News, “Security forces arrest thousands of people in Ethiopia’s capital”, published August 8, 2023,
accessed September 6, 2023, https://apanews.net/security-forces-arrest-thousands-of-people-in-ethiopiascapital/
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Dejazmach Wondirad secondary school in Addis Ababa, where many members of the Amhara
ethnic group were detained. Anxiously hoping for the possible release of her son, one witness
said: “It’s been eleven days since they took him […] He hasn’t done anything wrong, we’re very
confused.
76
“
Pictures circulated by Amhara activists allegedly depict detainees held in conditions that violate
human rights standards77, with a notable presence of minors among those incarcerated78
.
Immediate and unobstructed access to these individuals is imperative to verify these facts and
to ascertain the well-being of the detainees.
IV. Recommendations
Given the severe human rights abuses against the Amhara people in Ethiopia, as detailed in this
report, the following recommendations are proposed.
(1) Establishment of an Independent UN Investigation: It is imperative that the United
Nations establish an independent and impartial investigation mechanism to thoroughly monitor
and examine the human rights violations against the Amhara. This body should be mandated to
collect evidence, document incidents, and provide a detailed assessment of the atrocities,
ensuring that the global community is informed and responsive to the crisis.
(2) Ensuring Accountability and Justice: In response to the findings of the UN investigation,
there must be a concerted effort to hold perpetrators accountable. This involves initiating fair
legal proceedings and trials, ensuring that justice is served for the victims and their families. It
is essential that those responsible, irrespective of their status or position, are brought to justice
for their actions.
76 Ethiopian Reporter / ሪፖርተር ኢትዮጵያ, “በአዲስ አበባ ቤተሰቦቻቸው የታሰሩባቸው ዜጎች ስቃይና እንግልት
@ethiopiareporter,” uploaded on August 16, 2023, accessed September 15, 2023,
https://youtu.be/zMt498_tRLM?t=111.
77 Twitter, “@_Gojjam” posted on September 10, 2023, accessed September 15, 2023,
https://twitter.com/_Gojjam/status/1700669248870162667.
78 Twitter, “@RasAsteraw” posted on September 10, 2023, accessed September 15, 2023,
https://twitter.com/RasAsteraw/status/1700937240933806490.