Emerging Patterns of Human Rights Violations against Amhara Civilians in Ethiopia

Situation Overview

The Amhara Association of America (AAA) expresses concern over the continued escalation in human rights violations by various armed groups against civilians in various parts of Ethiopia. This statement addresses some of the latest emerging patterns of abuse, contributing to the existing genocidal war in Amhara Region and surrounding areas of the country. Perpetrator groups implicated in these abuses include forces affiliated to the Oromo Prosperity Party (OPP) regime led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and allied regional forces including the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), Oromia Region Special Force (OSF), and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) among other perpetrator groups. Abuses were predominantly identity-based, targeting ethnic Amhara communities and persons affiliated to the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC). 

Emerging trends of human rights violations are highlighted by regional administration below. 

Situation in Amhara Region 

Throughout the region, state forces and allied militants have undertaken a series of war crimes and crimes against humanity constituting genocide since the onset of the Amhara war in April 2023. Trends of violations include extrajudicial killings, summary executions, aerial bombings, abductions (and hostage-taking) and weaponized sexual violence targeting vulnerable populations, particularly young girls and women. In addition, public facilities including health centers and schools have come under attack, disrupting access to these facilities. 

In a recent article from BBC World Service, accounts from victims in South Gonder and West Gojjam Zones revealed the toll of sexual violence on young girls and women in the region. Based on data collected from 43 health facilities (~4% of facilities in the region), there were 2,697 reports of rape between July 18, 2023 and May 2025 alone. According to the report, children under 18 accounted for 45% of cases and over half the victims tested positive for sexually transmitted infections including HIV. These abuses have reportedly continued since the publication of the report. For example, on November 20^th, state forces committed gang-rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl identified as Kalkidan Addisu from Gishabay town (Sekela Woreda, West Gojjam Zone). 

In Central Gonder and West Gonder Zones, Qemant militants with backing from state forces have carried out patterns of extrajudicial killings, abductions for ransom and property destruction. For example, on November 19^th, the militants killed three civilians including two children, all of which were members of a single family, in Shikurya Kebele of Metemma Woreda (West Gonder Zone). 

In North Gonder Zone, following a peaceful demonstration by students at Debark University, state forces opened fire on unarmed protesters leading to numerous critical injuries and hospitalizations on November 20^th. 

In North Shewa Zone, state forces carried out widespread abductions and hostage-taking of civilians, including alleged family members of Fano fighters. For example, on November 19^th, state forces abducted at least seven civilians in Enewari city of Moretina-Jiru Woreda. The detainees, many of whom were family members, were identified as Ato Yitagesu Abi, Woizero Atnafework Yitagesu, Woizero Samrawit Yitagesu, Zergaw Sintayehu, Ato Workagegn Shimeles, Woizerit Kulich Sifeta, and Woizero Asinakech Techane. 

In Alamata city and Raya-Alamata Woreda of North Wollo Zone, TPLF militants have carried out a wave of enforced disappearances, torture, intimidation and harassment targeting residents. The militants have carried out these abuses in collusion with the Tigrayan settler administration and Menbere-Selama ethno-nationalist religious faction. Abuses have targeting ethnic Amhara residents, health professionals and affiliates of the EOTC Raya Diocese. For example, on November 10^th, the militants detained Alamata City Hospital head Ato Belay Molla and later released him following a series of threats. Further attacks on health workers have reportedly continued as of November 21^st with workers facing threats to leave the area. On November 14^th, the militants detained at least five church officials from the Holy Kidane-Mihret Church Parish Council in addition to other civilians in the city. 

In Bugna Woreda of North Wollo Zone, state forces carried out a series of attacks prompting displacement of residents on November 20^th. Residents of Ayna-Bugna town suffered attacks under accusation of affiliation with Fano combatants, following protracted territorial control of the area by Fano. 

Situation in Addis-Ababa City 

In recent years, the OPP regime jointly with the city administration led by Mayor Adanech Abiebie has carried out a pattern of deadly violence and discriminatory policies on city residents. For example, on the week of November 10^th, over 1,500 technical and vocational college teachers were suspended from their positions under a policy aimed at “diversifying” the workforce. 

Situation in Oromia Region 

Since the OPP regime came to power, the frequency and intensity of deadly violence targeting ethnic Amhara and EOTC communities has exponentially increased. Over this period, these communities have faced genocidal massacres, sexual violence, displacement, property loss and severe repression by various armed groups including federal state forces (e.g. ENDF), OSF, the Oromo Liberation Army and allied militias. 

In recent weeks communities in various districts have faced recurrent attacks. Over the past month, mass killings were undertaken in numerous districts of East Arsi Zone, with attacks targeting followers of the EOTC. Over the past week, state forces have intensified a campaign of violence against Amhara communities in Horo-Guduru-Wollega Zone. For example, on November 19^th state forces detained civilians in Wubanchi Kebele of Abe-Dongoro Woreda following an intensive military operation in the area. In connection with this incident, local residents were displaced to neighbouring areas. 

Need for Protection of Vulnerable Communities, Prevention of Harm and Accountability for Perpetrators 

The majority of incidents implicated federal state forces with involvement of regional counterparts across multiple regions. Victims were predominantly ethnic Amhara communities, and attacks were justified under pretext that victims were Fano combatants. In incidents implicating TPLF forces, attacks were believed to be part of a campaign to eliminate Amhara identity from contested areas and facilitate a takeover of health centers, religious institutions and various public offices by TPLF-affiliated individuals. 

Noteworthy is the role of state and military officials, state media, and state-organized NGOs in the systematic incitement and denial of human rights violation trends. For example, following recent violence in East Arsi Zone, the Inter-Religious Council of Ethiopia released a controversial statement denying that the violence in the zone was based on religious or ethnic identity. In another concerning development, amidst mounting reports of abuses across all areas, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission under Chief Commissioner Berhanu Adello, has ceased reporting on the majority of concerning human rights trends. 

Taken together, these trends indicate a troubling pattern of continued abuses, impunity and insecurity jeopardizing the safety of communities in various parts of the country. 

Recommendations 

AAA continues to call on influential nations, international agencies and human rights organizations to join in condemning emerging patterns of human rights violations in Ethiopia, including direct condemnation of the OPP regime and affiliated state armed groups. Further, AAA calls on international partner nations and monetary institutions to cease any and all monetary assistance which may be directed to procuring military equipment which may be used to commit further abuses, and utilizing tools such as targeted sanctions against officials and military leaders implicated in abuses, to curb the rise in abuses. 

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