Ethiopia: ‘War crimes’ committed in Tigray and ‘ethnic cleansing’ under way, complain Amnesty International-HRW

Persecution, executions, rapes: security forces and militias have carried out “ethnic cleansing” and atrocities equivalent to “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity” in Ethiopia’s Tigrai province, two non-governmental organizations say.

A joint report released today by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) states that civilians in Tigray have been targeted by a “relentless campaign of ethnic cleansing” in the western part of the northern Ethiopian province. and pro-government forces in November 2020.

In the months that followed, hundreds of thousands of people were driven out of West Tigris by buses and trucks or fled to escape persecution – rape, murder, looting, deprivation of humanitarian aid – which was carried out by regional security forces and local government.

“These widespread and systematic attacks on civilians in Tigray are crimes against humanity as well as war crimes,” Amnesty International and HRW said in a report entitled “We Will Get You Out of This Land”.

The campaign was carried out “with the consent and possible participation of the Ethiopian federal forces”, they emphasize, denouncing the inaction of the government in Addis Ababa.

War broke out in Tigray 17 months ago when Prime Minister Abi Ahmed sent the federal army to oust the local authorities of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) after accusing the rebels of firing on him.

“We will purify the blood”

Federal forces and forces in the neighboring province of Amhara invaded western Tigray, where Addis Ababa imposed a new local government.

This vast fertile area, located between the Tekese River and the border with Sudan, has been claimed for decades by the Amhara and Tigray tribes, two of the most important in Ethiopia.

The United States has denounced “ethnic cleansing operations” carried out by Amhara forces in western Tigray since March 2021. Authorities in Amhara Province have described the allegations as “propaganda”.

“Amhara security forces, militias and newly appointed local authorities have been conducting a coordinated campaign of ethnic persecution since the end of 2020,” wrote Amnesty International and HRW, which interviewed more than 400 victims and witnesses. .

NGOs have documented the summary executions of about 60 men near the Tekese River, as well as the gang rapes of women from Tigray, many of whom became sex slaves.

One of the women said that while she was being raped by many men, a member of the militia told her: “You Tigers must disappear from the areas to the west. You are the devil, we will purify your blood.”

Local authorities have banned the use of the Tigray language, placed signs urging Tigers to leave, and barred them from accessing farmland and humanitarian aid.

After all, thousands of people are being held in camps. “Some detainees died from torture due to lack of medical care or lack of water and food, while others were killed by guards,” the report said.

“Shocking extent”

Amnesty International and HRW accuse the federal government of covering up these violations by restricting access to Tigray.

“The Ethiopian authorities strongly question the shocking extent of the crimes being committed and shy away from acting to stop them,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of HRW.

The Eritrean army, which borders Tigray and is an ally of the Ethiopian federal authorities, has also been involved in looting Tigray crops and livestock as well as persecuting them, NGOs added.

The conflict, which has been raging outside Tigray province for some time, has killed thousands of people and forced millions to starve.

Addis Ababa declared a “humanitarian truce” on March 24, which was accepted by TPLF guerrillas on the condition that humanitarian aid enter Tigray.

A first convoy arrived in the province on Friday.

Source: AMPE