The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has issued a statement urging all parties involved in the ongoing conflict in the northern region to seek a peaceful resolution. T
he call comes as tensions continue to escalate, causing concern both domestically and internationally.
The deadly clashes that erupted in recent months between federal government-aligned security forces and members of a local militia known as Fano have resulted in a tremendous loss of life and displaced thousands of civilians.
The EHRC said in a press statement on Monday that priority should be given to the sustainable resolution of the conflict in the Eastern African country’s second-most populous region.
The EHRC firmly emphasised the need to prioritise the protection of human rights, prevent further violence, and ensure the safety and humanitarian assistance of all affected communities.
The EHRC statement also called on warring parties to ensure the rights of detained individuals as well as to ensure accountability for instances of rights abuses, including rapes and extrajudicial killings.
The commission’s statement disclosed that civilians, suspected combatants, and government officials have been victims of extrajudicial killings, rapes, enforced disappearances, and indiscriminate attacks since the conflict in the Amhara region intensified last July.
Ethiopia has been experiencing political tensions in recent years, and this conflict exacerbates an already delicate situation. The EHRC’s intervention serves as a vital step towards restoring peace and stability in the region while prioritising the well-being and rights of all individuals affected by the conflict.
