A new report released by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch claims Amhara security forces have committed widespread atrocities against civilians in western Tigray. The investigators compiled evidence that Amhara militias have carried out crimes amounting to ethnic cleansing, including forcibly expelling hundreds of thousands of Tigrayans from their homes. Sexual violence, mass detention, and unlawful killings occurred during the forced displacement. The authors suggest the Ethiopian military was complicit with these crimes, and Eritrean soldiers may have assisted Amhara officials. The investigation included over four hundred interviews, forensic reports, and satellite images. The organizations have called for further independent investigations, the release of those arbitrarily detained, and unlimited access to the region for humanitarian aid.
The report also highlights the need for accountability in Addis Ababa. In a discussion of the report’s findings, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch Kenneth Roth condemned the Ethiopian government for its role, declaring, “Ethiopian authorities have steadfastly denied the shocking breadth of the crimes that have unfolded and have egregiously failed to address them.”
Addis Ababa has since promised to examine the allegations outlined in the report. The Government Communication Service issued a statement suggesting the paper contains “Ideas that are not useful for any peace effort,” but “the government will reaffirm its determination to investigate all human rights violations and make public the results.”
In addition to documenting the atrocities in Tigray, the report offers a path forward to mitigate the conflict. The organizations argue the United Nations Security Council should impose an arms embargo on the warring parties, targeting both the Ethiopian government forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The paper also calls for a neutral peacekeeping force to de-escalate the conflict. Recommendations include an African Union peacekeeping mission with a robust mandate to protect civilians. A peacekeeping mission is highly desirable but may be difficult to achieve with resistance from Addis Ababa. Nevertheless, the involved diplomatic parties should consider the report’s proposals. Accounts of the Amhara officials’ actions are deeply concerning, and international bodies must advocate for the perpetrators to be held accountable.
The Ethiopian conflict has been characterized by human rights violations on both sides. According to Human Rights Watch, the Tigray region has experienced unrest since 1992 due to identity and boundary disputes. When conflict broke out in Tigray in 2020, the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and Amhara militias rapidly took control of western Tigray, forcing thousands of civilians to flee. Government forces, the TPLF, and militias appear to have committed war crimes during the course of the fighting. The alleged campaign of ethnic cleansing began in late 2020, with Amhara authorities warning Tigrayans to leave their homes or be killed. In March 2021, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken released a statement recognizing ethnic cleansing was taking place in western Tigray. By June of that year, the Ethiopian government had imposed a blockade on Tigray, blocking access to humanitarian aid, fuel, and medical supplies. A truce was announced on March 24 to allow aid into the region, but humanitarian organizations indicate wider access is needed. Peace talks have been interrupted by renewed violence.
The Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch report are not surprising, but they exemplify the severity of the situation in the region. Armed groups are comfortable resorting to war crimes when it benefits them. The documented atrocities should increase the urgency of international and regional efforts to end the fighting and prevent impunity for criminals. Given the ceasefire breakdowns, outside pressure continues to be needed to move conflict parties towards a solution. Immediate action is necessary to alleviate human suffering and protect civilians from further war crimes in Tigray.
