Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a damning report on Wednesday, accusing Ethiopian federal forces of committing widespread war crimes in the troubled Amhara region.
The report alleges systematic attacks on medical personnel, facilities, and patients caught in the crossfire of the ongoing conflict.
The report, based on interviews with victims and eyewitnesses, specifically details attacks in at least 13 towns.
HRW claims soldiers have beaten, arrested, and intimidated medical professionals for treating injured individuals, including suspected members of the Fano militia.
Additionally, ambulances were unlawfully targeted, and hospitals were obstructed from functioning.
The report highlights the severe limitations on humanitarian access and media freedom in Amhara.
This environment, coupled with the expiration of a UN commission investigating atrocities, has created a situation of impunity for Ethiopian forces.
HRW cites a separate UN report estimating over 2,000 civilian casualties in the region.
HRW Deputy Africa Director Laetitia Bader called for increased international scrutiny of the human rights situation in Ethiopia.
She warned that the lack of accountability for abusive forces is likely to fuel further atrocities.
The violence in Amhara raises fresh concerns about Ethiopia’s stability, particularly following the fragile peace agreement signed in November 2022 for the neighboring Tigray region.
The historical land disputes between Amhara and Tigray, coupled with the Amhara population’s perceived betrayal by the federal government, contribute to the ongoing tensions.
