The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has announced that many innocent citizens, including pregnant women, children, and other civilians, have been killed by government security forces and Fano militants in the ongoing conflict in the Amhara and Oromia regions.

In a quarterly report covering mid-September 2024 to December 2024, the EHRC examined human rights violations in conflict-affected areas. The report highlighted numerous extrajudicial killings, civilian deaths, physical injuries, property destruction, looting, arbitrary mass and prolonged detentions, forced disappearances, hostage situations, and the detention of individuals without revealing their whereabouts.

In September, following clashes between government security forces and the armed group known as “Fano” in the South Gondar Zone of the Amhara Region, Libo Kemkem District, Aged Kebele, and Wsha Trs Kebele, the EHRC reported that government forces went from house to house and killed eight civilians, accusing them of being Fano’s family or supporters. Among the victims were three women, including one nine-month pregnant mother, and one child. The report also mentioned that two civilians were injured, and six others were taken away, with their whereabouts remaining unknown.

In the same month, at least four people, including women and children, were killed, and five others, including three children, were injured due to indiscriminate shelling by government security forces in Dabat City, North Gondar Zone, according to the EHRC. Additionally, three civilians were killed by government forces while performing burial rites for those who died in battle, including one individual who was deaf and disabled.

The EHRC also reported that Fano militants killed eight civilians in the West Gondar Zone, accusing them of supporting the Prosperity Party government or fighting against Fano alongside the defense forces.

A four-year-old boy named Aman Enyu was killed in a drone attack in the West Gojam Zone, Dega Damot District, Feres Bet town. The Ethiopian Commercial Bank’s Feres Bet branch building suffered slight damage in the attack, the report stated.

Regarding human rights violations in the Oromia Region, the EHRC reported that two residents of Qelem Welega Zone, Saja Welel District, Lalo Gelata Kebele, named Ato Dagem Igezu and Ato Tsega Tekle, were suspected of having connections with the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). On October 5, 2024, they were arrested by government security forces, accused of providing food and information to the OLA, and subsequently shot dead, with their bodies found dumped on the road.

Three days later, in the Southwest Showa Zone, Ameya District, Eteya Gemba Jete, Ilala, and Tiro Ilala Kebeles, OLA militants attacked and killed five civilians named Ato Temesgen Tefera, Ato Asfa Rkew, Alehegn Abate, Ato Temechew Arke, and Ato Belete Kebede, accusing them of supporting government security forces in the area.

Regarding arrests, the EHRC reported that all levels of government leaders, security institution leaders and members, government workers, judges, prosecutors, council members, businessmen, journalists, school and university teachers, women, youth, and self-employed individuals in the Amhara Region have been detained. The EHRC added that religious leaders and exemplary religious students are also being detained by the government, with more than 6,000 people detained in four selected places: Dangla, Chilga, Saraba Military Camp, Kombolcha, and Showa Robit, for temporary detention.

In conclusion, the EHRC called on all parties involved in the conflict in the Amhara and Oromia regions, including the government, to work with determination to find a peaceful solution through an unconditional ceasefire. The commission urged all parties to refrain from violating international human rights and humanitarian laws and to publicly condemn violations while ensuring accountability.

Furthermore, the EHRC urged the government to initiate credible and human rights-compliant criminal investigations and prosecutions to hold officials and members of armed groups accountable for violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws in the ongoing armed conflicts in the Amhara and Oromia regions. The EHRC also called for victims to be compensated and rehabilitated, and for the damage caused to human life, physical, psychological, and property to be thoroughly investigated.