Ethiopia: Ongoing Mass Killings Despite Ceasefire, Risk of More Atrocities

War crimes in Ethiopia persist nearly a year after a ceasefire was declared, according to a report from the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia. This report, published on Monday, highlights that all sides involved in the conflict are committing atrocities, including mass killings, rape, destruction of schools and medical facilities, forced displacement, and arbitrary detentions. These crimes have been ongoing since November 3, 2020, when the armed conflict in the Tigray region began.

The Commission’s chair, Mohamed Chande Othman, expressed concern that violent clashes have expanded almost nationwide, with alarming reports of violations against civilians in the Amhara region and continued atrocities elsewhere in the country. In Amhara, there have been reports of mass arbitrary detentions of civilians, and the State has conducted at least one drone strike. The region is under curfew, and the government has set up a “Command Post” with soldiers, but there are no civilian watchdogs, which can result in serious problems.

Humanitarian needs have surged in Amhara, with nearly two million people requiring health assistance. Additionally, there are refugees arriving from war-torn Sudan, exacerbating the situation.

Regarding Tigray, the Commissioners noted that rape and sexual violence against women and girls by Eritrean forces continue. The presence of Eritrean troops in Ethiopia shows an entrenched policy of impunity and tolerance of violations by the Federal Government. The trauma caused by these atrocities in Tigray is likely to persist for generations.

The Commissioners called for a credible process of truth, justice, reconciliation, and healing. They criticized Ethiopia’s government for failing to effectively prevent or investigate violations and launching a flawed transitional justice process that overlooks victims. The International Commission, established by the UN Human Rights Council, aims to impartially investigate violations in Ethiopia since the conflict began in November 2020.

Re-reported from the article originally published in UN News