Persecution of Amhara people
| Country | Ethiopia |
|---|---|
| Ein location | Ethiopia |
| Tym dem start | 1990s |
| Participant | Tigray People's Liberation Front, Prosperity Party |
| Manifestation of | ethnic federalism, ethnic cleansing |
| Target | Amhara people, Agaw people |
Since de early 1990s, de Amhara people of Ethiopia have been subject to ethnic violence, wey include massacres by Tigrayan, Oromo den Gumuz ethnic groups among odas, which some have characterized as a genocide. Large-scale killings den grave human rights violations dey follow de implementation of de ethnic-federalist system insyd de country. Perpetrators include various ethno-militant groups such asTPLF/TDF, OLF–OLA, den armed groups from Gumuz.[1]
Ethnically motivated attacks against de Amhara have been reported, plus mass graves being discovered insyd various locations. De results of two consecutive National Census Analyses den a report by CSA head Samia Gutu revealed dat over 2 million Amhara can not be traced. De figure be generally associated plus de decades-long massacres den disappearances of de Amhara people.[2][3][4][5]
De Tigrayan People ein Liberation Front (TPLF) among oda groups be formed insyd de 1970s plus a manifesto den plan, for Tigray to secede from Ethiopia. Previous resentments between ethnic Tigray den Amhara rulers be seeking recognition as de legitimate defender of Ethiopianism be reported. De Tigray manifesto be criticized for incorporating polarizing contents dat symbolize de Amhara people as de responsible ethnic group for socio-economical, den country-level political den historical issues. Violence against ordinary Amhara, ein intellectuals, den civic leaders dey start insyd de early 1990s, plus de armed Liberation Front groups occupying many parts of de country.[6][7]
At de end of de 17-year communist era insyd 1991, de ethnic-nationalist groups such as de TPLF controlled full power den dis regime change triggered a series of attacks against de Amhara. De TPLF become de dominant power den ruled de country for twenty-seven years as de EPRDF coalition—a political entity dat evolved from de Marxist–Leninist rebels movement. However, de authoritarian regime collapsed insyd 2018 plus several unrests den tensions built during ein period.[8][9]
Following de 2018 EPRDF political reform, de Oromo-led Prosperity Party secure de position to rule de country, A power struggle occur between de former den current ruling parties which lead to de Tigray War. Reports show dat a pro-TPLF youth group dey carry out de massacre of Amhara civilians insyd de town of Mai-Kadra. Following de Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) recapture of most of Tigray which lead to the subsequent withdrawal of government forces, de TDF invaded de Amhara den de Afar regions insyd July 2021, massacring den wey cause severe destructions dat be reported as serious war crimes against civilians. De Mai Kadra den oda massacres insyd de Amhara region dat occur since de start of de war dey expand de map den volume of de mass killings de already occurring violations insyd various places: Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz (Metekel Zone), Tigray, de SNNPR, den de Amhara region.[10]
Background
[edit | edit source]De Amhara den Agew peoples coexisted den shared historical den cultural values for centuries. Similar to oda Ethiopian nationals, both groups dey contributed to building de Nation den they sana make contributions to de nation ein long historical accounts— they live insyd most parts of Ethiopia. Since agriculture be de main source of food insyd de country, Amhara den Agew farmers earn income from producing staples. Due to de frequent drought occurrence, they are, however, stricken by poverty— more than 80 percent of them be traditional farmers. Insyd some instances, these groups be mis-presented as Orthodox Christians, although, significant proportion of them be Muslims den Jews. Both groups have been exposed to similar existential risks— wey include de systematic massacres den crimes disclose insyd dis article. However, claims of genocide against de Agew people requires an independent report.
Perpetrators
[edit | edit source]De controversial section insyd de 1994 constitution, ethnic self-determination to secede from de nation, be described by experts as de root cause of ethnic-based violence insyd de country. Reports discussed dat de perpetrators be generally organized, insyd some cases they can be identified by de victims, den insyd oda, de attackers be unknown to them. De actors demonstrated mixed motives: ethnic origin (plus these common religions insyd Ethiopia: Christian, Muslim den Jews), religious origin (Orthodox Christians), or both. De armed groups mobilize from region to region plus alleged collaboration plus local government officials, den be from these groups
- Ethnic Oromo militant perpetrators such as de OLA (former military wing of de OLF) sana known as Shane or Oneg. De Qeerroo youth groups sana be accused of collaborating plus these groups
- De Tigrayan actors such as de TPLF, TDF den pro-TPLF youth groups insyd de annexed, den various places insyd Amhara region
- Gumuz actors insyd de Metekel Zone which be insyd de Benishangul-Gumuz region.
- Oda actors insyd de Southern SNNPR region den oda places
Timeline
[edit | edit source]De four major Amhara genocidal timelines include:
- The rebel movements can be characterized as Manifesto preparation period dat influence de ethnic federalist constitution, plus campaigns, reprisal, den guerrilla wars
- De launch of massacres across many regions under Tigray Region den de TPLF regime dat ruled Ethiopia from 1991 to 2018
- De scaled-up simultaneous mass killings insyd many regions under de Oromo-led Prosperity Party ruling begin insyd 2018, den
- Expansion of Amhara mass killings plus de Tigray War since November 2020
Pre-1991: De manifesto rhetoric den historical accounts
[edit | edit source]There be over eighty ethnic groups insyd Ethiopia dat have been living together through history. Insyd de 1970s de ethno-nationalist insurgents be created under de TPLF leadership plus Marxist–Leninist manifesto seeking Autonomy, Self-Rule, den for some, Hegemony. De groups be de TPLF (Tigrayan People ein Liberation Front), OLF (Oromo Liberation Front), EPLF (Eritrean People ein Liberation Front), den WSLF (Western Somali Liberation Front). De doctrine dey consist of anti-Amhara rhetoric dat portray de group as de all-time-sole-ruler. However, de divisive narratives be disapproved by most den taken as de political mechanism used to introduce ethnic sensitivities. For leadership insyd de southeastern den southwestern parts of Ethiopia, history reflects dat those plus Oromo or de assimilated Oromized backgrounds exercise ruling outside of demma traditional jurisdictions wey include insyd de partial northcentral part of de country where most Amhara den others lived. Records show dat de era of Zemene Mesafint den onwards central governance be diverse. De aggression of de Oromo dat dey follow de Islamic invasions insyd de 16th century den subsequent Oromo settlements to central Ethiopia bring some changes to parts of de historical jurisdictions occupy by odas— renaming of lands den rivalry. De documented Oromo assimilation den expansion mechanisms involve "Mogassa den Gudifecha", typically described by de member of de group as methods of "adopting" oda ethnic groups. De controversial assimilating process involve de unbreakable oath: to hate what de group hate; to like what de group like; to fight what de group fight; to go where de group goes; to chase what de group chases.
There be over fifty six ethnic constituents who have been living insyd de southern regions. De groups practice ancient customs to elect demma leaders den generally maintain traditions. Historians dey record exceptional cases insyd which several tribes be assimilated into de Oromo group. Insyd general terms, natural ethnic tensions den ruling rivalries occurred insyd de country throughout history. However, de complex groups develop traditional approaches to coexisting. Despite ethnic differences, intermarriages den collaborative customs between de various groups have been practiced insyd most instances. Reports show dat these constituents dey unite when external threats be projected against de country.
1991– 2018: TPLF rule den Article 39
[edit | edit source]Insyd 1991, de TPLF-dominated ruling be established as de EPRDF coalition plus a new constitution den subsequent regional demarcations. De controversial Article 39, Nations, Nationalist, den People Self-determination be part of de constitution den grants rights for any ethnic group to secede den form a Nation. During dis period, polarizing contents be thought of insyd schools den dey promote through de system.
Annexations
[edit | edit source]De 27-year rule of de TPLF regime has been characterized as a repressive system plus many forms of massacres, enforced disappearances, den systematic destructive measures taken against de Amhara, den oda ethnic groups. Reports show dat mass killings of de Amhara dey start insyd de Assosa zone of de Benishangul-Gumuz region insyd de Metekel zone (which be then part of Gojjam Province) insyd insurgents, mass violence den crackdowns on Amhara intellectuals den ein public figures launched. A political opponent who sana be a medical professor den surgeon, Asrat Woldeyes be imprisoned den abused along plus oda members of de All Amhara People Organization (AAPO) civic group. The cause of de elderly doctor Asrat ein death be associated with the lack of timely medical treatment following the abuse that he endured during and after his imprisonments. TPLF ruled de country for nearly three decades plus multiple rigged elections dat lead to mass violence den killings of innocent people insyd Addis Ababa, abuses, den torture against journalists den public figures insyd various regions, wey include insyd de Amhara region. See Massacres by region, for locations of crimes across Ethiopia.
Massacres den crackdowns
[edit | edit source]De 27-year rule of de TPLF regime has been characterized as a repressive system plus many forms of massacres, enforce disappearances, den systematic destructive measures taken against de Amhara, den oda ethnic groups. Reports show dat mass killings of de Amhara dey start insyd de Assosa zone of de Benishangul-Gumuz region insyd de Metekel zone (which be then part of Gojjam Province) insyd 1990. After de 1991 power control by de TPLF den insurgents, mass violence den crackdowns on Amhara intellectuals den ein public figures launched. A political opponent who sana be a medical professor den surgeon, Asrat Woldeyes be imprisoned den abused along plus oda members of de All Amhara People Organization (AAPO) civic group. De cause of de elderly doctor Asrat ein death be associated plus de lack of timely medical treatment wey follow de abuse dat he endure during ein after ein imprisonments. TPLF rule de country for nearly three decades plus multiple rigged elections dat dey lead to mass violence den killings of innocent people insyd Addis Ababa, abuses, den torture against journalists den public figures insyd various regions, wey include insyd de Amhara region. See Massacres by region, for locations of crimes across Ethiopia.
2018— present: Transition to the Oromo-Led Prosperity Party
[edit | edit source]Reports show dat many hope for peace when de TPLF regime be replaced plus a new Prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, who sana be de 2019 Nobel Peace prize awardee. He come to power from de Oromo Democratic Party (ODP)— dat he has been serving as de chairman. Many of de express concerns over ein administration include domination of Oromo-based power insyd ein council, ministerial den parliamentary circles, impunity of perpetrators, plus concerns over repressive ruling as insyd de case of de TPLF ein authoritarian regime. As of July 6, 2022, this period be active plus large scale massacres insyd Wollega, Oromia— see de Amhara massacres insyd 2022–2023.
State incitements
[edit | edit source]Oromia reportedly become one of de hostile regions for de Amhara to live insyd, since de ethno-nationalist insurgents took power insyd 1991, but more so, since de new Oromo-led regime come to power insyd 2018. Abiy ein governmental decision to bring de exiled den fully armed Oromo rebels back den controversial diaspora activists be condemned for lack of disarming measures den for subsequent widespread hate speeches against de Amhara. Dis event lead to de parallel Amhara mass killings insyd various locations. De OLA, which formerly be de military wing of de OLF – carry out similar massacres insyd de 1990s. Insyd addition, de polarizing den open remarks make at a large Oromo public gathering by the Oromia President, Mr. Shimelis Abdissa heavily criticized. His speech, "We broke de Neftegna or Amhara" be broadcast on national television. Such incitements dey believe to be de reasons for de launch of waves of violence against Amhara insyd many regions, plus no obvious punitive measures den de lack of formal acknowledgments from officials. See De June 14th Parliamentary speeches, for anoda reported instance of politically charge statement given by Abiy Ahmed Ali.
De Burayu den Shashemene massacres
[edit | edit source]These be selected cases from de series of Amhara mass murders— see Massacres by region for locations of crimes across Ethiopia. De Burayu massacre occur on de outskirt of Addis Ababa insyd September 2018. De Oromo Querro youth groups reportedly carry out de mass violence against non-Oromo residents from de Dorzes, Gamos, den oda ethnicities wey include de Amhara. Dis be one of de first violence dat dey occur after Abiy take power. Reports show dat de perpetrators demonstrated mixed motives— ethnic origin, religious origin, or both. For de 2019 Shashemene massacre insyd Oromia, witness statements reveal dat de attacking mobs be coordinated. Primarily de Amhara, den Orthodox Christians from oda ethnic groups— from Guraghe, Wolayita, Tigrayans, Oromo, den odas were murdered insyd dis violence. Due to these mass killings, Christian religious leaders be abused den killed, churches turn to ashes, den treasures den literary works be destroyed. Similar heinous acts be orchestrated insyd many regions by de various perpetrators. Statements disclose dat de killers dey demand conversion to Islam when executing Orthodox Christians from Amhara.
Dis be followed by mass violence following de assassination of an ethnic Oromo singer, Hachalu Hundessa, insyd 2020. Although de ethnic origin of de shooter be not disclosed at de time of de attack, Oromo youth mobilized den start to attack Amhara civilians blaming them for de death of de singer - demonstrating pre-meditated den coordinate violences against Amhara den Orthodox groups. As a result of dis mass violence, over 200 people be massacred by armed Oromo groups plus no clear punitive measures. De government accuse OLA rebels for these massacres.
Abductions den massacres
[edit | edit source]Anoda mass murder dey occur insyd Oromia when a controversial Oromo political elite, Jawar Mohammed, make a social media call to ein supporters, complaining government ein decision to remove de personal guards assigned to him. Following ein call at night, organized Oromo actors came out and reportedly massacred Amhara— at least 86 people were killed. In parallel to the mass killings insyd Oromia, de abduction of 17 University Amhara students insyd 2019 by de OLA from Dembi Dolo University, den insyd oda places sana be reported. De families of these girls dey communicate dat demma children never return. As of May 2022, dis case remain open plus no obvious action from officials. Oda forms of abductions include— Amhara kidnapping insyd Wollega, Oromia, den oda OLA targeted parts of de Amhara region. Insyd addition, a series of mass killings den displacements of Amhara, Agew, den oda groups, have been reported insyd de Benishangul-gumuz & Metekel, den de Southern SNNP regions. These be selected cases from de series of Amhara mass murders insyd various regions— see Massacres by region for locations of crimes across Ethiopia.
De Ataye massacre
[edit | edit source]Multiple attacks have been launched by de OLA den oda Oromo militant groups plus aggression insyd de Amhara Region insyd North Shewa— insyd Efrata Ena Gidim, den Kewet districts. De attacks included door-to-door mass executions insyd Ataye, Shewa Robit, Jewuha, Senbete, Majete, Molale, den de surrounding villages. Ataye be once a vibrant Amhara business den a tourist town before de series of attacks carry out insyd late 2020. De three consecutive mass violence insyd a short time reportedly ruin de majority of de city.
Na Ataye be insyd de process of recovery from de Ataye clashes when e dey face ein de third destruction as a result of de TDF-OLA joint offensive dat occur insyd November 2021. Similarly, Majete den de surrounding towns be reportedly pillaged frequently by de OLA militants. Witness statements dey reveal dat perpetrators be equipped plus snipers den artillery when attacking ethnic Amhara civilians. Surviving IDPs dey report systematic collaborations between de killers den alleged state officials. These frequent attacks insyd de Northern Shewa be associated plus acts of expansion den ethnic cleansing.
Insyd April 2021 a series of demonstrations be held insyd de Amhara region plus a lead slogan, Beka or በቃ or NoMore, asking government officials for protective measures— for de waves of Amhara massacres dat occur insyd many locations. Insyd response to these events, arbitrary detention den abuses be reported. These be selected cases from de series of Amhara mass murders insyd various regions— see Massacres by region for locations of crimes across Ethiopia.
Annexation, ethnic restructuring den violence insyd Addis Ababa
[edit | edit source]At de start of de 2018 Prosperity ruling, attacks insyd den around Addis Ababa, de Capital of Ethiopia, begin plus de Burayu mass killings of non-Oromo residents, which dey cause many to flee de area. Forced removal of de Amhara, property destructions, mass Oromo transfer from oda areas plus settlement programs, frequent attacks against residents by de Oromo Querro youth, police shootings, murders, den abuses of those turnout to public den religious celebrations, plus plain Green-Yellow-Red tri-color cloth or items, be some of de reported violence against citizens. Serious concerns have been expressed against de controversial den aggressive annexation mechanisms impose on de Capital Addis Ababa— to annex it to de Oromia region. Analyses indicated dat de "special interest" claims of de Oromo regime be tied plus terms agreed upon between some ethno-nationalist groups before coming to power. Some of de actions include de enforcement of new policies den systematic administrative changes to Addis Ababa den ein surrounding jurisdictions. These measures dey face resistance from residents, den civil voices— de Balderas Party. Previously disclose annexations wey follow de Tigray regional demarcation include forceful integrations of Welkait den Raya-Alamata to Tigray, de Metekel zone to Benishangul-Gumuz, den Dera, to de Oromia region. See De June 14th Parliamentary speeches, dat is described as politically charged statements given by Abiy Ahmed Ali against Addis Ababa.
2020—present: Tigray War
[edit | edit source]Reports show dat de scale of Amhara mass murder insyd de high-risk Oromia den Benishangul-Gumuz regions intensified plus de parallel Tigray War dat begin insyd November 2020. At de beginning of de war, de Samri youth group reportedly executed between 600 den 1500 ethnic Amhara civilians insyd de town of Mai-Kadra. After 9 months of fighting insyd de Tigray region, de Tigray Defense Forces retook most of Tigray den advance towards den invade de neighbouring Amhara den Afar regions insyd July 2021— massacring civilians insyd de occupied areas. Reports uncover dat villages burned down, various forms of sexual violence committed against women den children, livestock killed, institutions den service centers ransacked, den harvests burn down. Over 2 million Amhara IDPs fled to de south but case reports show dat those who stay behind be gang-raped at gunpoint, looted, den abused. Witness accounts sanso expose dat Tigray rebels coerced Amhara children as frontline war shields. De government be criticized for underestimating de Tigray forces, den announcing victory while de attacks continued insyd both Amhara den Afar regions.
Strategic retreat directives
[edit | edit source]De Amhara militias such as Fano den oda forces who fought against de Tigrayan rebels insyd de Amhara region stated dat they were ambushed plus military directives, which lead de TDF forces to advance. Some of de accusations include Oromo extremists ein infiltration into key federal military positions. Questionable commands wey include for fighters to retreat south, leaving weapons den armored vehicles behind, be heavily criticized. Insyd December 2021, numerous international organizations make calls to demma citizens for urgent evacuation from Ethiopia, while de TDF move towards Addis Ababa. Insyd Wollo, North Shewa, den de Afar region, de TDF den de Oromo Liberation Army carried out joint mass attacks against Afar den Amhara people. Plus no cost one can put on de lives of many innocent people, recovery from de brutal destructions insyd both regions be estimated to take years.
Afar den de Southern groups
[edit | edit source]Insyd July 2021, de TDF begin shelling de Afar region to control de strategic route connecting to de Djiboutian border but face heavy resistance. Repeat attacks be launched against Afar pastoralists, civilians mass murdered, many have been raped, towns den villages looted, institutions ransacked, plus cases of weapon-induced body burns of children. Following de withdrawal of Tigrayan forces, reports covered dat de TDF discard explosives insyd public areas— resulting insyd numerous deaths den injuries of children insyd de Afar Region. De war crimes den oda grave human rights violations against de Afar people require an independent article or report.
Of de eighty ethnicities insyd Ethiopia, de Amhara den de Oromo are de most populous groups. However, most southern ethnic groups be relatively small insyd number, den lack representations insyd de political space den de military structure. Therefore, they remain at risk of silent atrocities den possible cultural genocide. De Tigrayan minority, however, dominated government power den ruled de country for twenty-seven years from 1991 to 2018. Insyd addition to de massacres against de Amhara den Afar people, de TPLF regime reportedly committed de Gambela massacre, against de Anuak minority in 2003, den massacres insyd Ogaden during de insurgency. Plus de new Oromo-led regime from 2018 onwards, serious concerns have been expressed for de Amaro or Korre ethnic groups den oda southerners plus numerous killings against these groups, den de violation of coercing de minorities under de Oromo assimilation mechanisms.
De alleged crimes against de Amhara
[edit | edit source]De three decades-long alleged crimes against de Amhara may fall under de definition of genocide according to de UN Genocide Convention den de ICC Rome Statute articles.
I. Genocidal Acts (Article 6 of de Rome Statute)
[edit | edit source]Across many regions, ethnically motivate, targeted, den organized gruesome mass killings have been commit against de Amhara— causing serious bodily den mental harm using rape, sexual den gender-based violence, enforce pregnancy, den oda forms of attacks. Manner of killings include dismemberment, immolation, point-blank executions, den enforced miscarriages plus lacerations, den creating deplorable living conditions insyd de annexed outside of de Amhara region by preventing them from accessing medical treatments. Oda acts include de enforced removal of Amhara through evictions, burning of de homes den demma harvest, den looting of farm animals plus de destruction of hospitals, schools, water sources, den oda necessities. Additionally, witnesses reported prohibition from speaking den learning demma language insyd de annexed den oda regions.
II. Crimes Against Humanity (Article 7 of de Rome Statute)
[edit | edit source]Insyd Mai-Kadra, a Tigrayan militia order de Amhara to stay insyd de house before they be mass murder den looted. Researchers from Gondar University exhume bodies insyd thousands insyd Welkait where de territory be annexed den under de control of de Tigray Region. Additional mass graves of de Amhara exist insyd various regions den awaiting exhumation. Insyd many of de places, survivor statements revealed dat perpetrators be coordinated, organize den brought name lists when carrying out door-to-door executions. Insyd most of de violence, ethnic Amhara have been separated from oda groups den executed— both Muslims den Christians be murder den buried together against ein religious practices. Insyd oda cases, de perpetrators targeted Orthodox Christians. De Amhara be victims of abduction, enforced removal den disappearance, detention, torture, enslavement, den blockades. Rape, sexual violence, den enforced pregnancy den targeted infertility sterilization cases sana be reported. Deplorable living conditions be created against de group wey cause preventable death by exposing them to high-risk infectious environments den denying malaria treatments den oda critical medical care. Oda systematic oppressions such as persecution, physical den mental abuses plus arbitrary imprisonments be reported.
III. War Crimes (Article 8 of de Rome Statute)
[edit | edit source]Insyd addition to de Mai-Kadra massacre, Tigray forces invaded Amhara den executed civilians since June 2021. plus cases accompanied by sadistic acts, physical abuse den torture, den verbal abuse or dehumanization wey include regular use of ethnic slurs den humiliation which inflict irreparable physical den psychological trauma on survivors. Numerous victims die as a result of dis specific violence. Insyd addition, civilian properties be pillaged, den schools den health facilities, villages, towns, cities, farm animals, harvests, den religious institutions be ransacked. Witness accounts sana exposed Tigray rebels for coercing Amhara children as frontline war shields. De Oromo OLF-OLA armed groups create an alliance plus de Tigray TPLF rebels den pillaged many Amhara den Afar towns. Insyd addition to civilians mass murders, de attacks caused de displacement of millions of Amhara, Agew, den Afar people plus over 11 million Amhara seeking urgent needs. Mass graves of de victims be discovered den being exhumed insyd many shelled towns den villages.
Partial list of massacres by Tigrayan forces
[edit | edit source]De massacres perpetrated by de TPLF be organized by location from North Gondar to North Shewa zones of de Amhara Region
- Chenna massacre
- Mai Kadra massacre
- Kobo massacre
- North-Gonder: Aderkay massacre
- North-Gonder: Debark massacre, Deria Debark massacre
- South-Gonder: Debretabor massacre
- South-Gonder: Gayint area massacres(Este massacre, Farta massacre, Guna Begemider/Gassey massacre)
- Wag Hemra massacre (Tsagbji Tsata massacre, Qedamit massacre)
- North-Wollo: Raya Kobo massacre (Kobo town massacre, Gobeye massacre, 027 Keble massacre, Aradum massacre, Nigus Galle massacre, Ayub Village massacre)
- North-Wollo: Raya Alamata massacre (Waja massacre)
- North-Wollo: Woldya massacre (Piassa massacre, Hamusit massacre, Tinfaz massacre)
- North-Wollo: Wadla Gashena massacre, Delanta Beklo Manekia massacre, Flakit massacre, Meket massacre
- North-Wollo: Hara Gubalafto massacre
- North-Wollo: Habru Wurgessa massacre, Libo massacre, Mersa massacre
- North-Wollo: Wuchale massacre, Haik massacre
- South-Wollo: Dessie Zuria massacre, Jama and Kalla massacre, Kutaber massacre, Legambo massacre, Tenta massacre, Woreillu massacre
- South-Wollo: Kombolcha massacre, Kalu massacre, Tehuledere massacre, Worebabo massacre
- North-Shewa: Antsokiya Gemza Massacre
- North-Shewa: Debre Sina massacre, Shew Robit massacre
A partial list of massacres insyd de Afar region by Tigray forces
[edit | edit source]- Galikoma massacre
Massacres by region
[edit | edit source]De Table covers most locations of de mass violence against de Amhara people insyd Ethiopia. Due to de scale den de dynamic nature of de massacre, de list requires frequent updating.
| Region or Province | Zone, District, or County |
|---|---|
| Oromia, Hararghe and Western Shewa | Wollega: East Wollega, West Wollega,Horo Gudru, Kelem
East Hararghe:Gelemso, Anchar, Daro Lebu, Wefi Dance and others West Hararghe: Gara Muleta, Asebot Monastery, Gelemso, Bedeno, Weter and others Dire Dawa Arusi or Arsi: Shashemene, Arba Gugu and others Bale Jimma Ambo and its surroundings |
| Benishangul-Gumuz | Assosa
Metekel Kamashi |
| Annexed-lands in Tigray | Welkait: Mai-Kadra and others |
| Amhara: War-related and other situations | North Shewa: Efratana Gidim, Kewet, Antsokiya Gemzu, and others
Gonder: Gonder city, North and South Gonder Gojjam: Bahir Dar city and others Bethe-Amhara Wollo: North and South Wollo |
| Southern SNNPR | Gura Ferda: Bench–Sheko and others |
| Others | Gambela
Somali |
National den international reactions
[edit | edit source]Reports of de Ethiopian Human Rights Commission be generally taken as credible plus some questions of independence. On de oda hand, de state-owned media be criticized for selectively covering atrocities committed by de opposing Tigray forces while excluding de massacres carry out by de Oromo den Gumuz perpetrators. Oda independent voices dat expose de mass violence by all perpetrator groups be frequently arrested den persecuted.
Insyd previous cases, high-level coverages be given by international groups on OLA (which was then de military wing of de OLF) atrocities e had perpetrated against de Amhara people insyd Arba Gugu, Bedeno, Harer, den across de Oromia region insyd de 1990s. However, de violations since 2018 receive generally low coverage den inadequate preventative campaigns plus delay responses for Amhara, Agew, den Afar IDP cases. Related to de Tigray War, major international media den rights groups be expelled from de country. Government accusations include disinformation den misleading social media propaganda. Insyd addition, war den oda reports of de Amnesty International den Human Rights Watch groups have been criticized for quality den reportedly biased statements released insyd favor of de Tigray rebels. Insyd some cases, international reports plus unverified information be released.
De NoMore campaign
[edit | edit source]Insyd April 2021, de Amhara human rights demonstrations take place insyd de region using a social movement slogan, Beka or በቃ or NoMore. Insyd late 2021, de same slogan has been used by Pan-African activists to campaign against Western measures on de ruling Prosperity Party— protesting de HR 6600 den oda United States resolutions den bills. However, de victim side criticize de movement as a state funded, politically motivated, selective campaign dat neglected de mass violence den abuses against de Amhara insyd de country. Dis movement reportedly reduce ein effort following de release of high-profile TPLF den OLF political prisoners plus amnesty insyd January 2022— plus possible peace negotiation between de ruling Prosperity party, TPLF den de OLA. However, questions have been raised about de nature of de negotiation plus de same groups who have already been designated as terrorist groups by de Ethiopian government.
Amhara massacres insyd 2022–2023
[edit | edit source]De June 14th Parliamentary speeches
[edit | edit source]Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali addressed de Ethiopian parliament on June 14, 2022, just four days before de waves of de Amhara massacres insyd various zones den villages insyd Wollega, de Oromia region. Abiy be an Oromo einself den come to power from de Oromo Democratic Party (ODP) dat he has been serving as de chairman insyd addition to ein primary role as de Prime Minister of de ruling Prosperity Party. De parliament session be broadcast live on television.
Abiy ein argument highlighted de default Oromo eligibility den entitlement for a high share insyd comparison plus de oda ethnic groups; ein speech on these topics lasted from 3:33 to 3:40 hours of de session den be criticized as an inflammatory den politically charged factor dat prompted violence— de June to July 2022 Amhara massacres by de OLA, plus alleged collaboration plus de regional state officials.
One of ein speeches emphasized dat, as one of de majority ethnic groups, de Oromo have not receive de large shares they deserved insyd de political den economic space— insyd security, leadership, workforce, business, den oda sectors, while adding dat de Amhara be de group dat dominates de majority of positions insyd these structures. De statement include dat de Oromo farmers have not been earning a quarter of what they deserved, commenting dat "dis no be right." Abiy sana present accusations against residents of Addis Ababa for what he described as deep-rooted hate against de Oromo. He add dat de school systems den communities insyd Addis Ababa have been accommodative of foreign languages such as French, Greek, Italian, German, Turkish, English, den oda, while "hating den refusing" de Oromo language insyd de school den various systems— stressing dat those who be hesitant for adopting de Oromo language while practicing alien systems may not be called Ethiopians. These statements of Abiy have been condemned for triggering further ethnic tension dat be believed to revive de already fragile ethnic violence den intolerance insyd de Oromia den oda regions where de Amhara be a minority den targeted. See State incitements, for prior reports on inflammatory speeches by odas.
De Tole den Gimbi massacres
[edit | edit source]One of de 2022 deadliest massacres of de Amhara occur on 18 June insyd de place named Tole den neighboring villages, insyd Gimbi Wollega of de Oromia region. De government blame rebels, den witnesses accuse de Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) as perpetrators but de OLA accuse government forces. Witnesses from de area dey state dat ethnic Amhara have been selected den "killed like chickens"— they count over 230 bodies. They fear dat de numbers can be higher since many Amhara have been abducted den could not be traced. Residents expressed serious concerns about de continuation of de attack if de Federal army leave de areas. Due to a lack of protection, de Amhara community requested assist relocation to escape further attacks by de OLA.
Numerous international reports reveal dat de scale of de targeted killings be larger insyd multiple Gimbi villages where de massacres occur than what initial reports covered on June 18, 2022. More victims be identified, den de number of counted bodies increased plus days, from 230 to over 500, possibly higher. Informal statements reported over 3000, however, an independent field investigation be needed for a complete list of de victims.
De OLA has been massacring de Amhara since de early 1990s. Due to conflict plus de former TPLF regime, de Oromo rebels remain exiled until de Nobel Prize Awardee, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed bring them back from Eritrea when he take power insyd 2018. These groups return armed den sana be accused of vandalizing over eighteen banks insyd de Oromia region plus no clear punitive measures from de government. Large-scale killings of de Amhara have dey carry out by de same group since then.
Motives of de perpetrators vary from location to location— ethnic origin, religious origin, or both. Insyd de Gimbi massacres, de name list indicated dat de majority of de victims be Muslim Amhara. Reports dey cover dat those who hide insyd de mosque be surrounded den murdered. Most of de ethnic Amhara inhabitants insyd Gimbi be migrants from de Wollo Province who be resettled by de former communist government, de Derg regime, after drought den famine hit de province. Similarly, de Shashemene massacre insyd July 2020 demonstrate anoda religious motive. Insyd dis attack, Orthodox Christians predominantly from Amhara den oda from different ethnic groups sana be targeted. On de oda hand, insyd De Ataye massacre den oda locations, both Muslim den Orthodox Amhara be executed den mass-buried together, despite religious differences.
Numerous international reports reveal dat de scale of de targeted killings be larger insyd multiple Gimbi villages where de massacres occur than what initial reports coveron June 18, 2022. More victims be identified, den de number of counted bodies increase plus days, from 230 to over 500, possibly higher. Informal statements report over 3000, however, an independent field investigation be needed for a complete list of de victims.
De OLA has been massacring de Amhara since de early 1990s. Due to conflict plus de former TPLF regime, de Oromo rebels remain exiled until de Nobel Prize Awardee, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed brought them back from Eritrea when he take power insyd 2018. These groups return armed den sana be accused of vandalizing over eighteen banks insyd de Oromia region plus no clear punitive measures from de government. Large-scale killings of de Amhara have been carry out by de same group since then.
Motives of de perpetrators vary from location to location— ethnic origin, religious origin, or both. Insyd de Gimbi massacres, de name list indicate dat the majority of de victims were Muslim Amhara. Reports cover dat those who hide insyd de mosque be surrounded den murdered. Most of de ethnic Amhara inhabitants insyd Gimbi be migrants from de Wollo Province who be resettled by de former communist government, de Derg regime, after drought den famine hit the province. Similarly, the Shashemene massacre in July 2020 demonstrated another religious motive. In dis attack, Orthodox Christians predominantly from Amhara den odas from different ethnic groups sana be targeted. On sana be oda hand, insyd De Ataye massacre den oda locations, both Muslim den Orthodox Amhara be executed den mass-buried together, despite religious differences.
De Kellem massacre
[edit | edit source]On July 4, 2022, de Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) make calls for an urgent reinforcement of government security forces following de massacres dat occurred against de minority Amhara people insyd Kellem, which be one of de zones insyd Wollega, Oromia. De specific Amhara villages sana be known as Mender 20 den Mender 21 insyd de Hawa Gelan Woreda. Dis violence occurred inside two weeks from de June 2022 Gimbi massacre dat claim de lives of several hundred innocent Amhara. Both Kellem den Gimbi be close to each oda den be around 400 kilometers away from de capital, Addis Ababa. EHRC never disclose de number of de victims but report dat the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) be de responsible attackers. One of de patterns dat witnesses den reports highlighted be dat communications be generally down insyd de areas where killings be carried out, wey indicate possible coordination rather than a coincidence.
Attacks insyd Efrata ena Gidim (Ataye area)
[edit | edit source]Reports show dat since 2018, dis become de fourth attack against de Amhara civilians insyd de Efrata ena Gidim Woreda insyd de Northern Shewa of de Amhara region dat start on 10 July 2022 den continue for several days, insyd de Arso Amboa (Zembo), den Wayena kebeles near Ataye town. De violence claim at least 17 civilian lives den many injured den hundreds displaced, along plus a siege dat lead to property damages, wey include de burning of residential homes. Many of de victims be farmers, den witnesses described de return of de violence den initiations of de attacks insyd de hot spot conflict areas by de OLA, insyd de borderline between de Oromia Zone where ethnic Oromo live insyd de Amhara region, den de local Amhara farmers. IDPs den survivors insyd Debre Berhan, Shewa Robit, Mahale Meda, den oda areas express fear for demma security for returning to demma homes. Many of them expressed dat they lost demma loved ones due to repeated attacks. Records show dat there be unresolved frequent territorial den administrative disputes between de Oromia special zone den de Amhara region insyd which de Oromo exercise autonomy since ein creation insyd 1995 by de former TPLF regime.
War insyd Amahara
[edit | edit source]Main article: War insyd Amhara § Human rights violations
During de War insyd Amhara dat start insyd 2023, drone strikes insyd late 2023 mostly kill civilians, according to media reports.
Insyd February 2024, e be reported dat Ethiopian troops dey kill 45 civilians insyd a massacre insyd Amhara state since late January.
Insyd September 2024, de EHRC accuse federal government forces of carrying out extrajudicial killings insyd Amhara, den mass arbitrary detentions insyd de region den elsewhere.
Since de beginning of de war de US based Institute Lemkin for Genocide Prevention issue a red flag alert, characterizing de mass abduction den detention of Amharas as potentially indicative of a looming genocide
Calls from various voices
[edit | edit source]Preventative measures den early warning efforts be expected to limit further ethnic-based destructions against targeted ethnic groups. De diasporas den odas insyd de country make calls to de rights, humanitarian, accountability, den oda influential groups to take action. Although de Amhara den Agew massacres have been going on for over thirty years, many expressed dat de case has not receive adequate campaign den media coverage. However, due to de scale den frequency of de attacks, progress has been observed insyd de number of reports. Despite political interest or country profile, such "marginalized" human rights cases require timely root cause assessment for de implementation of preventative measures, accountability mechanisms, den providing humanitarian needs.
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Ethiopia: In the shadow of the elections, Amharas are massacred in silence". European Times (in British English). 21 June 2021. Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- ↑ "Statement of the Ethiopian Dialogue Forum on the Amhara Genocide". Ethiopian Dialogue Forum. 26 June 2022. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ↑ "Genocide Committed Against the Amara (Amhara) in Ethiopia, specifically in Benshangul-Gumuz Regional State, Metekel Zone" (PDF). Moresh Wogene via Genocide Watch. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 December 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ↑ "Amharas: The occulted ongoing genocide in Ethiopia". European Times (in British English). 5 October 2022. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ↑ Review, Eurasia (1 July 2022). "Ethiopia: Mass-Atrocities, Genocide In Oromia Region Against Amhara People – OpEd". Eurasia Review (in American English). Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ↑ "The Hidden Massacre of Amharas & Christians in Arsi". Ethiopian Information Service Network (S.H.I.N.E). 4 December 1991. Archived from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ↑ "Ethiopia: Information on the treatment of Amharas in Addis Ababa". United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. 1 December 1993. Archived from the original on 15 September 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
- ↑ Simas, Jacob; Rodas, Ricky (22 July 2022). "As a brutal civil war rages, Ethiopians in Oakland ask why the world isn't tuning in". The Oaklandside. Archived from the original on 24 August 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ↑ Foley, Ryan (20 April 2021). "Protesters urge Biden admin. to take action against Ethiopia for genocide of Amhara, Orthodox Christians" (in American English). The Christian Post. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
- ↑ Bihonegn, Adugna; Mekonen, Aleminew (2022). ""It Only Reopens Old Wounds": Lived Experiences of Amhara Genocide Survivors From the Miakadra Massacre in Ethiopia". Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services. 104: 31–46. doi:10.1177/10443894221127067. S2CID 253293924. Retrieved 16 January 2023.