Years of violent unrest and armed conflict in Ethiopia have resulted in countless abuses in regions across the country, with no end in sight, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Wednesday.
Laetitia Bader, HRW Director for Horn of Africa wrote that since April 2023, the Ethiopian military and militias known as Fano have clashed in towns throughout the Amhara region after the government announced plans to dismantle and integrate all regional special forces in the country. The fighting has intensified in recent weeks, with increased reports of civilian casualties.
She indicated that Amhara residents have been living with the consequences of the two-year armed conflict in northern Ethiopia. The region was also managing an influx of ethnic Amhara fleeing violence and targeted attacks in the neighbouring Oromia region.
In response to the growing violence, the federal government has cracked down on dissent and freedom of expression.
HRW has documented the arrest of at least eight journalists reporting on the unrest, as well as the blocking of mobile internet access in early April. On Aug. 4, 2023, Ethiopia’s federal cabinet declared a six-month state of emergency and placed the Amhara region under a military command post accountable to the prime minister.
Previous states of emergency declarations under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration resulted in mass arrests, prolonged arbitrary detentions, politically motivated charges, and unlawful restrictions on movement and communication.
HRW is concerned that the current state of emergency could lead to further abuses, including the arbitrary detention of journalists, activists, and opposition figures.
The state of emergency declaration also contains sweeping restrictions on a range of actions that could undermine basic rights.
It grants the government far-reaching powers to arrest criminal suspects without a court order, impose curfews, ban public gatherings, and carry out searches without a warrant. While currently limited to Amhara, the declaration could be extended to “any area of the country as necessary.”
HRW calls on Ethiopia’s regional and international partners to forcefully urge the government to protect civilians in conflict-affected areas and respect basic rights. After years of rights crises throughout the country, now is not the time for concerned governments to ease up their scrutiny and pressure.
