Mekelle: 27 February 2024 (Tigray Herald)
Urgent Call to Address Escalating Human Rights Violations and Crisis in Amhara, Ethiopia
Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de conscience is deeply concerned about the escalating crisis and human rights violations that are devastating the Amhara region in Ethiopia.
The recent developments, as reported by esteemed sources including The Guardian, Al Jazeera, VOA, Reuters, Wion, The Reporter, The Washington Post, and others, underscore the immediate need for international intervention to address the dire situation and prevent further loss of life and suffering.
The international community’s swift and resolute action is crucial to addressing the deteriorating Amhara genocide in Amhara Region of Ethiopia:
The atrocities being committed against the Amhara people in the Amhara region of Ethiopia are deeply concerning and require immediate attention. The following incidents provide a glimpse into the severity of the ongoing crisis:
Drone Attack on Civilians in Finote Selam: A drone attack on civilians in Finote Selam resulted in the tragic loss of over 70 lives and left numerous others injured. The victims were innocent civilians who were preparing to travel, and witnesses on the ground reported a horrifying drone strike. This incident represents a grave escalation within the ongoing hostilities, further endangering the lives and well-being of innocent civilians. The Amhara people find themselves entrapped in a cycle of violence and targeted directly by the Ethiopian Govenment. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has rightfully expressed “grave concern over the intensifying hostilities and the alarming violations of human rights occurring within the region.
Heavy Fighting in Debre Birhan: Between August 6 and 7, 2023, heavy fighting in Debre Birhan led to civilian casualties, including individuals seeking refuge in a hospital, church, school, neighborhoods, and workplaces. The use of heavy artillery and crossfire resulted in the loss of innocent lives.
Shelling of Bahir Dar. Ethiopian government forces indiscriminately shelled Bahir Dar, the capital city of the Amhara region, leading to the tragic deaths of hundreds of unarmed civilians. Among the victims was a man attending a church service, who was killed alongside his two sons on the streets.
Tragic Loss of Life in Wondy Plateau of Bure Town: The shelling from Wondy plateau of Bure town resulted in a heart-wrenching incident where four members of the same family lost their lives in their own house on Saturday, 12 August.
Violence in Gondar and Surrounding Areas: Gondar and its environs have been plagued by violence, resulting in the deaths of more than 20 individuals and causing injuries to over 200 innocent people.
Targeted Persecution and Forced Disappearances in Oromia and Addis Ababa:
Individuals from various religious backgrounds, including Amara, Islam, and Orthodoxy. are reportedly targeted in Oromia and Addis Ababa.
Government authorities instruct individuals to cease their activities and demand. identification, subjecting them to dire consequences if identified as Amhara.
Mobile phones are permitted, but specific images in the photo gallery trigger concerns, such as depictions of Amhara kings, flags without stars, and historical figures.
Online presence is closely monitored by authorities, with scrutiny of social media accounts,
including Facebook, Viber, Imo, and WhatsApp.
Notably, individuals who follow Amhara activists, journalists, or intellectuals opposing the ongoing genocide are specifically targeted.
