Re: Extrajudicial executions in the Amhara region, Ethiopia
Dear Sir or Madam,
In Ethiopia, the state of emergency continues to encourage perpetrators of crimes to commit heinous atrocities with impunity. In the absence of credible justice and accountability, serious abuses have become a daily routine. The gravity of these transgressions constitutes crimes against humanity under international law. It is time to end this widespread lack of justice and accountability throughout the country.
Over the past six months, the country-wide state of emergency has given the government extensive powers to arrest suspects without a court warrant, impose curfews, prevent freedom of movement, and ban public assemblies or associations.
Since the state of emergency was declared in August 2023, the Ethiopian media have reported mass arrests in Addis Ababa, the country’s capital, and in the Amhara region. On 6 February 2024, before the House of People’s Representatives, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed confirmed that thousands of people had been detained. The Amhara opposition has been silenced. Its parliamentarians have had their right to immunity violated by being imprisoned.
Serious violations of international humanitarian law may constitute war crimes under international law. Extrajudicial executions are also violations of the right to life protected by international human rights law, and this is becoming a systematic reality in the Amhara region; innocent Amhara civilians are being subjected to institutional barbarism:
- August — extrajudicial executions in Abune Hara and Lideta: according to eyewitnesses and family members, the victims were shot at close range.
- October — extrajudicial executions in Seba-Tamit: two months after the first clashes in Bahir Dar, on 10 October 2023, fighting broke out again in other parts of the city, mainly in the Seba-Tamit neighbourhood.
On 9 February 2024, Amnesty International sent its preliminary conclusions to the Ministry of Justice. At the time of writing, the organisation has yet to receive a response.
We urge that the perpetrators of the crimes committed be held accountable. We urge that the international community take immediate steps to ensure that an independent inquiry is conducted into the human rights situation in Ethiopia. We also urge that a process be established to follow up on the findings of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE).
Notes: This letter draws on the latest updated reports of the Amhara Association of America (AAA). The exactions cited were verified by AAA between 27 and 29 February 2024.
Yours sincerely,
Federation of Amhara Associations in Europe