The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has once again urged the Ethiopian government to uphold the security and human rights of individuals detained in various facilities. In a statement released today, the commission highlighted the ongoing requests from Addis Ababa, Amhara, and Oromia regions since May for justice and respect for the rights of those detained in undisclosed locations for extended periods of time.

The commission stated that it has engaged in discussions with leaders of security agencies regarding this issue. Reports received by the commission from individuals who were detained and subsequently released from unknown locations suggest that people continue to be forcibly taken into custody and subjected to various forms of abuse while in detention facilities.

One former detainee, identified in the statement, revealed, “I observed approximately 60 other individuals at the military camp where I was held for around 7 months.”

Additionally, the commission disclosed that high-ranking military and police officials from the government have been reportedly soliciting bribes from detainees or their families in exchange for release. The statement indicated that 44 individuals detained without a court order for periods ranging from 1 to 9 months were either released after paying bribes or under other circumstances.

Acting Chief Commissioner of EHRC, Rakeb Mesele, expressed concern about the extensive human rights violations and the social and economic harm inflicted on families, exacerbating the severity of the situation. He urged government security agencies to promptly address the issue of missing persons to facilitate thorough investigations and ensure accountability.

Rakeb emphasized, “This practice must cease immediately, as it hampers our ability to conduct proper investigations and hold individuals accountable.”