2024 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ethiopia

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

While a Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed in late 2022 between the government of Ethiopia and the Tigrayan People’s Liberation Front continued to largely hold, the Amhara and Oromia regions experienced conflict between government forces and Amhara Fano militia forces and the Oromo Liberation Army, respectively. From August 2023 through June 4, a state of emergency was in effect under which there were reports of widespread government violations of human rights, including extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detentions. Reports of conflict-related human rights abuses in the Amhara and Oromia regions continued through the year, even after the state of emergency expired, and despite the initial state of emergency decree containing language specific to the Amhara Region. In addition, there was a crackdown on fundamental freedoms of speech and peaceful assembly throughout the country, with numerous reports of intimidation and restrictions on journalists, civil society members, human rights defenders, and opposition members, as well as several suspensions of independent human rights organizations.

Significant human rights issues included credible reports of: arbitrary or unlawful killings; disappearances; torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment; arbitrary arrest or detention; transnational repression against individuals in another country; serious abuses in a conflict; and serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, including violence or threats of violence against journalists, unjustified arrests of journalists and censorship.

The government took limited steps to identify and punish officials who committed human rights abuses. The government stated it prosecuted some lower-level officers for abuses, but details were scant. Read more…

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