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The Ethiopian government is being urged to grant independent investigators and media immediate access to the Amhara region. Reports of gross human rights violations have emerged following ongoing armed confrontations between the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and the local armed Fano militia. Media outlets have reported an airstrike in the region that resulted in numerous civilian deaths.

Amnesty International has also received allegations of mass killings and casualties in several areas such as Finote Selam, Bahir Dar, and Shewa Robit. These allegations require further investigation, and independent bodies such as the Independent Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) and independent media should have unhindered access to examine them.

The Ethiopian government and its security forces must respect and protect the rights of the people. A state of emergency was declared on August 4, 2023, with nationwide application due to increased violence in the Amhara region. This state of emergency grants the government sweeping powers, including the ability to arrest suspects without a court warrant, impose curfews, restrict freedom of movement, and ban public assemblies or associations.

The Amhara Region is now under the command post of the country’s intelligence chief, reporting to the Prime Minister. The state of emergency also allows for the closure or restriction of media outlets or other entities deemed to be acting against the purpose of the proclamation.

The Ethiopian government has detained individuals in informal detention centers, including schools, in Addis Ababa. Detainees are being denied the right to access the court and legal counsel, according to lawyers and family members. Internet access has also been blocked in the Amhara region since August 3, 2023, violating the public’s right to freedom of expression and access to information.

Previous states of emergency in Ethiopia have resulted in mass arrests, prolonged detention without charge or trial, and unlawful restrictions on communication. The sweeping state of emergency now gives the Ethiopian government unchecked powers, while internet blockages make it challenging to monitor the situation in the Amhara region.

It is crucial for international and regional actors not to reduce scrutiny of Ethiopia at this time. The Independent Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, other independent investigative bodies, and the media should be able to work freely to ensure accountability.

In the background, the Fano militia and the Amhara Special Forces fought alongside the Ethiopian National Defense Forces against Tigrayan forces. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch previously reported the ethnic cleansing of Tigrayans from Western Tigray, involving Amhara regional officials, Amhara Special Forces, Fano militia, and federal forces.

In April 2023, the federal government announced plans to dismantle regional special forces, including the Amhara Special Forces, which triggered protests in the Amhara region. Fano subsequently captured major cities in the Amhara region, but the ENDF has since announced the recapture of these cities following the state of emergency declaration.

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