Ethiopia: Persistent, credible reports of grave violations in Tigray underscore urgent need for human rights access – Bachelet (04.03.2021)

GENEVA (4 March 2021) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Thursday stressed the urgent need for an objective, independent assessment of the facts on the ground in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, given the persistent reports of serious human rights violations and abuses she continues to receive.

“Deeply distressing reports of sexual and gender-based violence, extrajudicial killings, widespread destruction and looting of public and private property by all parties continue to be shared with us, as well as reports of continued fighting in central Tigray in particular,” Bachelet said. “Credible information also continues to emerge about serious violations of international human rights law and humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict in Tigray in November last year.”

“Without prompt, impartial and transparent investigations and holding those responsible accountable, I fear violations will continue to be committed with impunity, and the situation will remain volatile for a long time to come.”

The UN Human Rights Office has been receiving information about ongoing fighting across the region, particularly in the centre of Tigray region, as well as incidents of looting by various armed actors. Reliable sources have shared information about the killing of eight protestors by security forces between 9 and 10 February in Adigrat, Mekelle, Shire and Wukro. More than 136 cases of rape have also been reported in hospitals in Mekelle, Ayder, Adigrat and Wukro in the east of Tigray region between December and January, with indications that there are many more such unreported cases. The Government has said investigations are under way into the cases of sexual violence.

The Office has also managed to corroborate information about some of the incidents that occurred in November last year, indicating indiscriminate shelling in Mekelle, Humera and Adigrat towns in Tigray region, and reports of grave human rights violations and abuses including mass killings in Axum, and in Dengelat in central Tigray by Eritrean armed forces.

A preliminary analysis of the information received indicates that serious violations of international law, possibly amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, may have been committed by multiple actors in the conflict, including: the Ethiopian National Defence Forces, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, Eritrean armed forces, and Amhara Regional Forces and affiliated militia.

“With multiple actors in the conflict, blanket denials and finger-pointing, there is a clear need for an objective, independent assessment of these reports – victims and survivors of these violations must not be denied their rights to the truth and to justice. We urge the Government of Ethiopia to grant my Office and other independent monitors access to the Tigray region, with a view to establishing the facts and contributing to accountability, regardless of the affiliation of perpetrators,” Bachelet said.

Bachelet also expressed concern at detentions this week in Tigray of journalists and translators working for local and international media. While the journalists have now been released, there have been worrying remarks by a Government official that those responsible for “misleading international media” would be held responsible.

“Victims and witnesses of human rights violations and abuses must not be hindered from sharing their testimony for fear of reprisals,” the High Commissioner said.

Bachelet welcomed recent statements by the Government on accountability and measures taken on access for humanitarian actors. She urged the authorities to ensure that those commitments are translated into reality, and stressed that the UN Human Rights Office stands ready to support efforts at advancing human rights, including efforts by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission aimed at ensuring accountability.

Ethiopia: These bloodstains will never be forgotten Mr. Abiy [and Mr. Afwerki too]

Since the launch of the Law Enforcement Operation in early November 2020. There been articles, reports and since been recorded massacres, murders and killings of civilians in the Tigray Region. The Federal Government, the National Army, Amhara Para-Miltary Group “Fano” and Eritrean Army have all participated in the destruction, the atrocities and the battles over the region.

Yes, Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) shall be accountable for their parts and their activity as well, but the blunt force of accountability and responsibility is on the Head of State and the Federal Government who has more power, friends and allies to destroy the “outlawed” and deemed “terrorist” group the TPLF. Therefore, Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy and President Isias Afwerki have much more weight on their shoulders compared to TPLF President Debretsion Gebremichael.

So, in this regard… the Internally Displaced People, the refugees leaving refugee camps and the tactics of starvations, mass-murder and shelling towns. Are all deliberate acts of the state and its allies to conquer and leave no one behind. They are looting, destroying and silencing anyone. These folks are using all means to get total control and impose an “interim regional government” on the region as well.

The Prosperity Party is sending own soldiers as “peacekeepers” as the Ministry of Peace is enlisting them. The state is using mechanical forces, brigades of Eritrean soldiers to fight their fight and a militia to kill anyone who oppose the new sets of rules. It is now the “Rule of Law Operation” instead of the “Law Enforcement Operation”. Both make it seems like a cause to catch thieves in a den and not conventional warfare, which is happening on the 4th Month with little to no access for humanitarian aid and organizations to help the ones in need. The ones who get can get raided later by the soldiers who is supposed to keep them safe, but instead steal their vital aid.

That is why all the deaths, by the guns, the shelling of mortars or missiles are all on Abiy and Afwerki. These bloodstains, the deceased and the ones is no longer with us. These souls are on their account. It was their responsibility and their orders that was the reason for them losing their lives. A quick and brief operation, which was promised to not take lives. Have not taken thousands upon thousand. We have no idea how many by soldiers, by starvation and by trying to seek refugee in Sudan. We just know that too many have died over the principal of control from Addis Ababa.

This war is one to prove supremacy.. That is it really.

Abiy can claim otherwise and also backtrack the planned efforts in Amhara and airlifting troops to Eritrea ahead of attack on the Northern Command in early November. That is part of the timeline, the state never will really tell, but the drips of information proves it.

They have tried to block information and reports. If anything comes out. The state is debunking and dismiss it. While they asking the world to not accept “disinformation” but they are not accepting anything else published either. So, they only want their vision and not accepting the witnesses who has revealed stories and reports, which the state doesn’t want out.

This is why all massacres, mass-killings and atrocities needs to be revealed. The state will downplay it… but we need to know more. We only have a very limited picture and that is deliberate by the state. They also not accepting the information dropped from other sources than their own. Still, these are saying something and has to be taken into account. Since, they dare to shed lights on the dark side of war. While the state will only say it will “investigate” but the reports will only be pointed at their enemy. Never take accountability or responsibility for their own action. The Prime Minister have already lied and would easily lie again. Therefore, Abiy and Afwerki cannot run away from this, even if we know that they want too.

The leaders doesn’t want to be questioned and that has been clear for so long. Abiy and Afwerki doesn’t want this out, but when it does. It should create an outcry. The amount of horrific actions, which is hidden and been kept in the dark. That is acts that the ones in power orders.

The bloodstains on their hands cannot be washed away. The bloodshed and deaths are all in the hands of the government and their allies. That shouldn’t be forgotten about and needs to be stated.

The hands are red and no sort of cleaner will get it off. They can only tell what happened and who ordered what, but don’t expect that ever to happen. Abiy and Afwerki just want the glory, but don’t want to take the responsibility. The citizens of the Republic can die in the hands of the soldiers, but the King only wants to be praised. Long live the King and his Republic will prevail. Peace.

Ethiopia: Office of the Prime Minister – Statement on the Tigray Region Rule of Law Operation (03.03.2021)

Ethiopia: OLLAA Applauds German Government for Recalling Myanmar Ambassador, Urges Similar Response to Ethiopian Atrocities (02.03.2021)

Falls Church, Virginia (3/2/2021)—The Oromo Legacy Leadership and Advocacy Association (OLLAA) applauds the German government’s March 1 announcement that it has recalled its ambassador to Myanmar following the military government’s unlawful killing of peaceful protestors. “Such deadly violence against peaceful demonstrators can not be justified,” said German Foreign Ministry spokesman Steffan Seibert, “We summoned Myanmar’s ambassador today to make this position clear.”

OLLAA commends Germany’s commitment to democratic norms and urges the government to similarly signal its support for Ethiopian civilians, who are suffering gross violations of their human rights to life and freedom from unlawful arrest.

The atrocities in the Tigray region are part of an overarching pattern of human rights abuses committed by the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government.

According to a report by Australian human rights monitoring NGO the Oromia Support Group (OSG), at least 1,342 civilians have been killed by Ethiopian security forces since October 2018. For example, nearly 350 civilians died in extrajudicial killings in the Western Oromia region alone. A 2020 report by Amnesty International documents dozens of horrific extrajudicial killings, including a father of three who was murdered by Ethiopian Defense Forces (EDF) at a town-wide meeting because his mobile phone rang in the middle of proceedings. In another case, the Oromia Police Special Force targeted and killed a 10th-grade student while he drank coffee at a local cafe.

Aside from the Ethiopian government’s abhorrent and illegal executions of civilians, the state has carried out a campaign of mass arrest and arbitrary detention for the past two years.

Between January and September 2019, Amnesty International reported that at least 10,000 people were known to be imprisoned in a wave of mass detention that targeted anyone believed to be even remotely associated with opposition political parties.

More recently in 2020, amidst the covid pandemic, the Ethiopian government arrested and imprisoned at least 5,000 people, many of whom were journalists, politicians, and student activists critical of the government according to Amnesty international. While the government postponed democratic elections, ostensibly due to covid transmission concerns, state security forces simultaneously placed thousands at high risk of the virus due to “punitive” conditions inside detention centers.

On the same day as Germany’s announcement, a BBC journalist was arrested and reportedly taken to a military detention camp.

OLLAA urges the German government to undertake the following actions:

  1. Unequivocally condemn Ethiopia’s use of extrajudicial killing, mass arrest, and political imprisonment, and directly call on Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to release all political prisoners with no conditions.
  2. Dispatch representatives from the German embassy in Addis Ababa to monitor the wellbeing of Jawar Mohammed, Bekele Gerba, and the dozens of other political prisoners who have not eaten for over 30 days. The detainees are leading a hunger strike in order to demand justice for all political prisoners and their families, who continue to be targeted by Ethiopian security forces for their association with the detainees.
  3. Recall the German Ambassador to Ethiopia Stephan Auer in response to the Ethiopian government’s flagrant violations of democratic norms and international law.

For more information about the Oromo hunger strike, visit OLLAA.org/hungerstrike.

Ethiopia: A Joint Press Release by Salsay Weyane Tigray (SaWeT), National Congress of Great Tigray (Baytone) and Tigray Independence Party (TIP) regarding the press release by the US State department (03.03.2021)

Foreign Press Association, Africa: FPAAA Statement on the Arrest of Journalists working for International Media in Ethiopia (02.03.2021)

Foreign Correspondents’ Association of East Africa (FCAEA): FCAEA Statement on journalists arrested and killed in Ethiopia (02.03.2021)

Ethiopia: The authorities arrests translators as the international media gets “access” to Tigray

Since the 4th November 2021 there have been little to no eyes on the conflict in the Tigray Region. The Federal Government have blocked access to both humanitarian organizations and media houses. This week they have allowed humanitarian access to the region, but also 7 international media houses.

So, to keep in line with the black-out the state is continuing that. Even as the international media is trying to set their feet in their region. The Law Enforcement Operation is persisting and the military is still using force on civilians to gain control of the region. They have allies in the Eritrean army and Amhara Para-Military Group called Fano. Therefore, the unknown atrocities, massacres and violations of the Geneva convention is only mere speculation. As there are only small glimpses of the actions made in Tigray.

Just like the state constantly debunks and dismiss the little articles and reports that comes out. As it never them or allies who are doing the war-crimes, but always TPLF. Even if the TPLF was supposed to be practically “dead” at the end of November 2020. We are supposed to forget that fact as the conflict is on its 4th Month.

We know the Prosperity Party and the regime wants to keep things at bay and only have their propaganda to the world. As the ones that could help the foreign reports to get stories and fix things for them was arrested yesterday.

These are:

Fitsum Berhane (working for AFP) and Alula Akalu (working for Financial Times) professional translators arrested in Mekell. 

Tamirat Yemane (contributor to Aiga Forum), local journalist arrested in Mekelle.

These three was picked up by soldiers, beaten and taken to a unknown location.

Two friends of Akalu was arrested as well: Biniam Abraha and Yohannes Haftom. All of them has beaten and arrested by the soldiers. Also, taken to unknown location and without warrants.

We don’t know what charges the state has for all of these gentlemen, but we know the reason why they were arrested. As the state is “preparing” for the “access” so that they can ensure favourable reporting and only the one the state wants out from the warfare.

If they really believed in free press and have “access”. These folks wouldn’t be arrested for no other reason. That they are connected to media and could help the foreigners to get a deep cover, insights and understanding of everything that’s happening. Instead of eating of the hands of the government and peddling their narrative. Which is easier to do, when they are in the hands of the authorities and not getting outsider help.

This is deliberate and done with purpose. They allow them in and doing so as long as they print what the government likes. Only to ensure that the foreign journalists doesn’t get proper stories or ability to translate interviews. They are doing this with purpose and done to silence the media still.

It’s like you allow someone to enter, but they will not get whole context or situation, because no one locally will be able to tell or translate for them. They only have to go by the words of public officials and state agents, which in the end has an agenda and interests to serve. Not civilians who just got an eye-witness account, which will differ with the interests of the state. The state which happens to have soldiers on the ground and using force to take total control. Peace.

Opinion: Abiy will work on overtime to save his image ahead of the election

The Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy and his Prosperity Party (PP) will work ahead to clean its image. No matter what sort of reports, reporting or stories that comes out from the Federal Republic. His supposed to look good ahead of elections. That is something he needs to be crowned king later in the year.

That is why all authorities, state agencies and such is putting in so much efforts to “debunk” and “dismiss” any negative story about the warfare in the Tigray Region. A war brings atrocities and deaths. That is just a matter of fact. When you operate a war and conflict. There will be blood spilled and no mercy on innocent civilians who get caught in the cross-fire. Even if the Prime Minister promise to not hurt any civilian. His army has most likely killed civilians either by bullets or by default for closing roads, shattering access and hunting for the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The TPLF will do their bidding against their enemies. They have to stand responsible for its actions. However, they are not in the same pickle as Abiy. Abiy have to look good and astute as a statesman. While his acting as a warlord. The PP and Abiy have already named the TPLF a Terrorist Organization and Outlawed them. So, no matter what they do. They will “win” in the end. As the state have stand accountable for the conflict and the rebuilding of the region. That is not something you can pin on the former ally and coalition partner TPLF.

That is why Abiy have hired lobbyists to look better and get better coverage. Why his government has allowed 7 media houses to cover the region and now opening up unfettered access to humanitarian organizations too. That after claiming to do so much humanitarian work itself as a government. Who is there with Eritrean army, Amhara Para-Military Group “FANO” and own national army fighting on enemy, which it has now been doing since early November 2020. A conflict that was supposed have ended in late November close to December of 2020. We are now in end of February and soon March 2021. This sad tragic conflict seems to have no end and no positive outcome in close proximity.

Even if the Prime Minister needs to grow trees, opening up industrial parks and prove agricultural output. The PM needs to show the quality of the coffee and the basis of financial growth. While asking IMF and World Bank to cover his deficits. As the state is struggling financially and needs to still look vibrant ahead. All for the sake perception, as he cannot tank everything.

Especially, when his “reforms” only have let the world see more pain and suffering. The reforms have only arrested development and detained the opposition. If has detained it… he has silenced it and outlawed it. If it is in Ogaden, Oromia or in Tigray. There is all a bloodshed, people detained and paying the price for the wrong association. That is the reaction his leadership has brought, while he consolidated one coalition into one party. The others he brought peace with after getting power is behind bars. That is the tragic enterprise of this man.

Abiy is only in it for total power. He doesn’t care how many who dies or get in chains. As long as his crowned king. The warlord, the emperor and the sovereign who gives no fucks about the consequences of his actions. As long as he gets all the glory and festivities. He needs the salutes and the praise.

That is why Abiy is reacting now. Giving some ways and speaking of investigations. Even though they will end up nowhere. Just like the Court Orders helping Oromo leaders behind bars. They are shunned and doesn’t matter, as the “Superior Order” have more value then the rule of law. That because the pride of Abiy is mattering to much. He can do this, because he has the state power and doesn’t intend to loose it.

He has to calculate ahead. As the devastations and atrocities will come out. The reports and stories, which entails horrific acts and violations against humanity. Where there been blunt destruction, death and assault on a region. All to prove a point. Burning villages and killing anyone in sight. That is the stories of war and Tigray will be no different. The media blackout, social media blackout , telephone jamming and such have helped to lesser the leaks. Only later witness stories have been let out by refugees fleeing to Sudan. Where the state also claims war-criminals have fled to safety from the state and they want them returned. So, they are planning to persist their attacks on the region for a long time.

Just as the peacekeepers from Tigray was assaulted in Juba,as their time in South Sudan was over and the commando took charge and beat them into submission there. That says it all about the state of affairs. When even the ones serving and the ones who await punishment coming home. They want to avoid that, but is punished before even entering a plane “home”. This is a story, which is reflecting how the state operates and is leaked, because it happened in Juba and not in Addis Ababa.

Abiy doesn’t want that and wants that dismissed. Its inaccurate and always wrong. Just like any other story. However, he can lie and deflect. He can say things that is easily to see is wrong. Like the time he claimed only “youth” was refugees. That was easily debunked, but proves his character and his will to peddle own propaganda for his cause. Therefore, they will go after the ones who dare to question and will most like silence the ones that dares to talk. Especially, ahead of the elections.

When Abiy again needs to be the golden child and be the poster-boy of modernity. Abiy needs to be figure and posture of flair. He cannot look like or talk like a warlord, even if his actions speak of those. As the dead are mounting up and the unknown costs of the Law Enforcement Operation is in the air. Since, the state keeps that hidden and don’t want that out.

What we do know… is that Abiy needs to look good, even when he does bad. Abiy needs to look like a saint, but that is impossible. When his men is killing civilians on a daily basis. Peace.

Ethiopia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Press Statement on the Amnesty International Report on Alleged Incidents in the City of Axum (26.02.2021)