Re: Massacre of civilians in Merawi, West Gojam, 29 January 2024
Dear Sir or Madam,
On 29 January 2024, at least 47 civilians were publicly executed by Ethiopian regime forces in Merawi, a town in the West Gojam Zone of the Amhara region. This massacre — carried out in broad daylight in a public space — is among the most documented mass killings of the current campaign. We write to place on record the names and identities of the victims, and to call for an immediate independent investigation.
These were not combatants. The victims included teachers, civil servants, traders, and farmers. They were gathered, identified, and shot. Their names must not be lost to silence.
Partial list of identified victims (Merawi, 29 January 2024):
| Name | Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alebachew Mengist | 34 | Teacher, Merawi Secondary School |
| Animut Tessema | 28 | Civil servant |
| Ashenafi Belete | 31 | Trader |
| Asnake Mekonen | 45 | Farmer |
| Ayele Worku | 52 | Retired teacher |
| Belayneh Admasu | 29 | University graduate |
| Biruk Endale | 24 | Student |
| Dawit Chekol | 37 | Government employee |
| Dessalegn Getie | 41 | Health worker |
| Diriba Haile | 33 | Driver |
| Endalkachew Yimam | 48 | Merchant |
| Fasil Mesfin | 26 | Teacher |
| Fekadu Tesfaye | 55 | Elder, community leader |
| Getachew Andualem | 30 | Agricultural extension worker |
| Habtamu Melese | 22 | Student |
| Kassahun Abate | 44 | Farmer |
| Ketema Alemu | 38 | Daily labourer |
| Melaku Zewdu | 27 | Graduate |
| Mengist Worku | 60 | Pensioner |
| Mesfin Getachew | 35 | Nurse |
| Mulugeta Kebede | 43 | Trader |
| Muluken Asnake | 25 | University student |
| Netsanet Fenta | 32 | Teacher |
| Seife Molla | 47 | Civil servant |
| Shimelis Berhane | 36 | Accountant |
| Taddesse Wubet | 50 | Farmer |
| Tamirat Alemu | 29 | Graduate |
| Tariku Molla | 31 | Driver |
| Temesgen Damtew | 40 | Government employee |
| Tilahun Mengist | 46 | Farmer |
| Tsegay Tesfaw | 23 | Student |
| Wondifraw Hailu | 28 | Labourer |
| Worku Habtamu | 34 | Teacher |
| Yalew Mekonnen | 42 | Civil servant |
| Yibeltal Assefa | 27 | Graduate |
| Yimer Alemu | 53 | Farmer |
| Yitbarek Eneyew | 39 | Mechanic |
| Zerihun Worku | 33 | Driver |
| Zewdu Getie | 45 | Merchant |
| Eight further victims whose names are still being confirmed | — | — |
This massacre follows a pattern documented by international organisations: the targeting of civilians alleged — without evidence or trial — to have sympathies with the Fano self-defence movement. Extra-judicial execution has become a tool of collective punishment.
We call on the international community to:
- Demand an immediate, independent investigation into the Merawi massacre;
- Publicly identify and sanction those responsible for ordering and carrying out the killings;
- Press the Ethiopian government to allow unfettered access to independent human rights investigators in the Amhara region;
- Ensure that victim documentation is preserved in international records.
The dead deserve to be named. The living deserve justice.
Yours faithfully,
Molla Delelle (Ph.D.), Chairman Federation of Amhara Associations in Europe
Yours sincerely,
Federation of Amhara Associations in Europe