Amnesty International has accused the Ethiopian government of arbitrarily detaining thousands of civilians in makeshift detention camps within the Amhara region.
The human rights organization expressed deep concern over the ongoing conflict between the federal government and the Fano militia.
Since September 2023, the federal army, in collaboration with local security forces, has reportedly detained thousands of civilians. These individuals have been confined to four makeshift detention camps across the region, according to Amnesty.
Former detainees and family members have shared harrowing accounts of arbitrary arrests, often without explanation. The detainees were reportedly subjected to harsh conditions and denied due process.
Furthermore, Amnesty has raised concerns about the government’s alleged plans to organize “rehabilitative training” within these detention camps.
The organization has emphasized the need for independent verification of these claims due to restricted access to the region.
Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s regional director for East and Southern Africa, condemned the government’s actions, stating that “Ethiopia has entered a new era of disregard for national, regional, and international human rights obligations.”
Chagutah highlighted the recurring pattern of arbitrary mass detentions used to suppress dissent, often under the guise of emergency measures.
The ongoing conflict in the Amhara region, which began in April 2023, has led to significant instability and human rights abuses.
The federal government’s attempts to disarm the Fano militia have further exacerbated tensions and contributed to the current crisis.