After several months of armed conflict between Tigray Forces and ENDF starting from
November 3, 2020, the federal government announced a unilateral ceasefire on June 28, 2021, and
withdrew its forces from Mekelle, the regional capital city, and many other parts of Tigray Region. In the following days, Tigray Forces announced having come into control of Mekelle
city and other parts of the region.
Starting from July 2021, Tigray Forces launched military attacks in neighboring Afar and
Amhara Regions and captured several locations therein. Until October 2021, Tigray Forces
remained in control of many parts of Afar and Amhara Regions including, in some areas, in
collaboration with OLF Shane. The federal government’s counteroffensive starting from
November 2021, liberated parts of Afar and Amhara Regions that were under the control of
Tigray Forces and OLF Shane. As of the time of publication of this report, Tigray Forces
relaunched another round of military attack in Afar Region and took control of 5 Woredas and
Ab’ala town.
Because the war was conducted largely in towns and rural areas with dense civilian populations,
a significant number of civilians have died, suffered physical and psychological injuries as well
as sexual and gender-based violence as a direct result of acts of violence committed by parties
to the conflict. Health facilities, schools, places of worship, public facilities and infrastructure
and civilian property were pillaged and/or destroyed. Hundreds of thousands of people have
been displaced and subjected to a multitude of challenges. EHRC’s findings show the human
rights and humanitarian law violations and abuses committed in various degrees by the parties
to the conflict.
Attacks on civilians and civilian objects which enjoy special protection under international
humanitarian law:
Parties to the conflict carried out indiscriminate attacks on civilians who are vulnerable, in
particular women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons. These attacks on
civilians and civilian objects were committed in violation of the principles of distinction,
necessity, precaution, and proportionality. By using civilians as human shields, conducting
military operations from civilian homes and in urban areas, the parties have caused civilian
deaths, physical injuries, and property destruction.
In areas covered by the investigation, EHRC verified that, at least 403 civilians have died and
309 have suffered minor to serious physical injuries as a result of heavy artillery fire, air raids
and drone attacks by parties to the conflict in violation of international humanitarian law. This
number does not include unlawful and extra-judicial killings.
On August 4, 2021, at around 3:00 a.m., Tigray Forces indiscriminately killed 107 civilians
including 27 children, and injured 35 other civilians during an offensive on Afar Special Forces
in Galicoma mountains, in Galicoma Kebele, Afar Region.
By heavily shelling the areas in Afar and Amhara Regions before they took control of them,
Tigray Forces also caused civilian deaths and injuries, damage and destruction to civilian homes,
education, health, and public administration facilities, as well as places of worship which enjoy
special protection.
Between August 18 to September 4, 2021, 6 civilians died in Adigagra, Abraham and Adagat
Kebeles in Debarq Woreda (Amhara Region) as a result of ENDF heavy artillery shelling on
civilian homes that were being used by Tigray Forces to launch attacks. Landmines and other
explosives left in the open fields by Tigray Forces in Worebabu Woreda of Amhara Region
resulted in the death of 5 children and in physical injury to another.
In Woldiya city of Amhara Region, on December 18, 2021, at around 3:00 p.m., drone attacks by
ENDF on Tigray Forces who were amongst civilians caused the death of 6 civilians and injured
4 others.
As indicated in detail in the report, use of civilians and civilian objects as human shields and the
indiscriminate emplacement of landmines by Tigray Forces and conduct of hostilities by all
parties without adequate precautions to avoid harm to civilians and civilian objects, has resulted
in the death, physical injury, and displacement of civilians and in the destruction of civilian
properties and infrastructure.
Unlawful or extra-judicial killings:
In parts of Afar and Amhara Regions covered by this investigation, at least 346 civilians have
been subjected to unlawful and extra-judicial killing by parties to the conflict – mainly by Tigray
Forces.
Tigray Forces committed these killings on persons they accused of “spying for government
forces, prevented looting of property, not handing over personal weapons, providing support
to ENDF, Special Forces or Fano militia” or of “not being forthcoming with information on the
whereabouts of or being family members of government and allied forces”. Tigray Forces also
committed mass or isolated killings; declaring, on many occasions, that the killings were in
“retaliation” for attacks on advancing Tigray Forces or for “deaths and injuries that had been
committed by ENDF in Tigray”.
In areas which were under their control, OLF Shane also committed targeted killings of
government officials and their family members and civilians they accused of supporting the
government. ENDF, Amhara Special Forces, Fano and other militia also committed unlawful
and extrajudicial killing of civilians they suspected of supporting Tigray Forces or OLF Shane.
Between August 30 and September 4, 2021, Tigray Forces committed at least 47 unlawful killings
and extra-judicial killings of civilians (41 men, 6 women) in Chena Kebele in Amhara Region.
Some of those killed had their hands tied behind their backs, others were killed inside their
homes. As government forces approached the area, retreating Tigray Forces indiscriminately
killed civilians in homes and neighborhoods.
On December 2, 2021, Tigray Forces killed 40 civilians by shooting at a funeral procession and
through house-to-house raids in Ambo Wuha village, in Amhara Region. On November 3, 2021,
at 9:00 a.m., in the vicinity of Atkoma, Kasagita town in Afar Region, a 9-year-old child and an
18-year-old girl were shot on the head and chest and killed by TigrayFforces. On November 23,
2021, OLF Shane fighters in Ataye city, Amhara Region, shot and killed the father and brother
of the Kebele administrator at a place locally known as Koro after first detaining them to force
them to “handover their son”.
In December 2021, ENDF soldiers extra-judicially executed around 30 individuals they accused
of being OLF Shane members in an area locally known as Entoli, in the Oromo Administrative
Zone, AmharaRregion. In November 30, 2021, in Dabo town, Amhara Region, members of
Amhara Special Forces, shot through a closed door of a civilian home they accused of “providing
food to Tigray Forces” and wounded a mother on the leg and her baby girl on the left arm; the
baby later bled to death due to lack of medical assistance.
Torture and other cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment:
Tigray Forces committed acts of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading
treatment against civilians they accused of refusing to hand over cash or to disclose information,
of refusing to handover private weapons, or other similar accusations.
In Gashena town (Amhara Region) on November 12, 2021, armed members of Tigray Forces
beat, and tortured a man they suspected of having large sums of money. They first beat him and
tortured him by drowning him in the river, they then hammered nails into his leg and sliced his
genitalia with a knife. Afterwards, they returned to the victim’s house, took money, and severely
beat his wife. On August 5, 2021, in Worebabu Woreda, Amhara Region, Tigray Forces beat,
tortured, and then shot and killed a 20-year-old young man who was herding cattle for “looking
like fighters from Sodoma area (Afar Region)”. In 6 Kebeles of Worebabu Woreda, Tigray Forces
beat and physically injured 10 civilians (8 men and 2 women). One of the physically injured, a
30-year-old man, was taken from his house by TPLF forces on August 1, 2021 and detained for
over a month until September 5, 2021. During this period, he was tortured by being hung upside
down and beaten.
Arbitrary detentions, abduction, and enforced disappearances:
Parties to the conflict engaged in arbitrary detentions, abductions, and enforced disappearances
in violation of human rights and humanitarian laws.
Tigray Forces engaged in abductions and enforced disappearances in a manner that may
constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Federal, Afar and Amhara security forces
engaged in widespread arbitrary detentions in violation of the principles of necessity,
proportionality, and non-discrimination applicable even during a state of emergency.
In Dabo city, Amhara region, on November 13, 2021, a person detained to “provide information
on the residences of administrators and militia” was tied to a tree until midnight and later locked
in an empty room without food. The detainee and another prisoner were forced to carry
weapons and fetch water for the Tigray Forces, and released after three weeks. Around Mudena,
in Burka Kebele, Afar Region, 8 civilians were abducted by Tigray Forces from a market and, as
of the time of publication of this report, their whereabouts remain unknown.
Some civilians were killed after being abducted and subjected to inhuman treatment. On
November 15, 2021, a resident of Ataye town was taken from his house and detained for 5 days
by Tigray Forces. On November 20, 2021, he was accused of “providing food to Fano, to soldiers,
and of letting his home to be used as a military camp”. They then handed him over to OLF Shane
who, on November 28, 2022, took him to a place called Jara Wota and killed him.
During the State of Emergency, federal and regional governments detained thousands of ethnic
Tigrayans whom they suspected might collaborate with Tigray Forces and be security risks. In
violation of human rights principles applicable during states of emergency, some detainees were
kept in incommunicado for several months and denied family visitation and access to legal
counsel.
Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV):
Tigray Forces committed widespread, cruel, and systematic sexual and gender-based violence
including gang rape against women of different ages including girls and elderly women in parts
of Afar and Amhara regions under their control.
A victim/survivor who was raped by two fighters of Tigray Forces in Nefas Mewcha, Amhara
Region, spent two weeks at a friend’s house recovering from severe bleeding. On her way back
to her aunt’s house, she was again captured by Tigray Forces and sexually abused. She
recounted her ordeals with the second captors as follows:
“When one of the fighters of the Tigray Forces took off my trousers, he saw blood and became
disgusted and spat on me. I had already given up on life and was contemplating suicide so I
was not afraid of him. When I insulted him back, he got angry and shoved the mouth of his
Kalashnikov gun into my vagina. The pain was unbearable, and I passed out. I now suffer from
Fistula, and I am getting medical treatment.”
In Shewa Robit town, a 34-year-old victim/survivor of rape by the Tigray Forces was found
dead in an apparent suicide, the day after she was raped.
A victim/survivor of repeated gang rape by Tigray Forces in Hayk town of Amhara Rgion tested
positive for Hepatitis B when she sought medical treatment after government forces recaptured
the area.
In Mehal Meda town, a 20-year-old victim/survivor described being gang raped by fighters of
Tigray Forces in front of her 2-year-old child in her home (where she also sells coffee), after her
attackers dragged her 80-year-old father and tied him to a pole outside.
A victim/survivor who was repeatedly raped by Tigray Forces in Dib-Bahir, Debark Woreda
told EHRC:
“They came one after the other to rape me. As they raped me, they told me ‘Your people gang
raped our women; 10 soldiers at a time. We would have been married in Church in Holy
Matrimony if we hadn’t come to avenge for our women.’ In all, 15 fighters raped me.”
A victim/survivor of rape by Tigray Forces in Yalo Woreda, Afar region told EHRC that one of
the fighters came to her house asking for her husband’s weapon. When she told him that her
husband didn’t own any, he pulled out his knife and threatened to stab her. Afraid for her life;
she gave him money in the hope that he would leave her alone. However, he took the money
and raped her in front of her children.
In Kemise town, Amhara region, OLF-Shane fighters committed SGBV. On November 3, 2021,
they beat, and gang raped a woman during a search of her house after they learned that she was
an ethnic Amhara. They also took cash from her home.
In areas under their control, Tigray Forces conducted house to house searches and forced
women they accused of being the wives of ENDF soldiers, Amhara Special Forces and Fano to
cook for them and committed acts of sexual violence against them including gang rape. Based
on the amount of information and evidence collected by the EHRC concerning SGBV attacks of
this nature, there are reasonable grounds to believe that at least hundreds of women and girls
have been victims of SGBV.
Due to the stigmatization and discrimination they face within their communities,
victims/survivors of SGBV often refrained from speaking with EHRC. As a result, EHRC
believes that the magnitude of SGBV attacks is significantly higher than that detailed in this
report.
Tigray Forces committed widespread and systematic sexual and gender-based violence
intended to demoralize, dehumanize and punish communities; often indiscriminately and
sometimes in a targeted manner. The attacks were often perpetrated in a premeditated and cruel
manner including through gang rape, rape in front of family members of victims/survivors, and
insertion of foreign objects into the vagina. Often times, these acts were committed with the
knowledge of military commanders and officials of the Tigray Forces who, despite pleas from
communities under their control, failed to take the necessary and reasonable measures to stop
violations and hold perpetrators to account. The EHRC believes the information and evidence it
gathered strongly indicate a calculated and systematic use of SGBV (mostly indiscriminately but
also selectively) for warfare by Tigray Forces.
Internally displaced persons (IDPs):
A large number of civilians were displaced and suffered physical, mental, social, economic and
other injury following the expansion of the conflict into Afar and Amhara Regions. Insecurities
resulting from the war and human rights violations including large-scale looting and
destruction perpetrated by Tigray Forces were the main drivers of displacement from Afar and
Amhara Regions.
Separation from family members, inadequate humanitarian assistance including food, health
services, clothing, and bedding; as well as shortages of sanitary pads and other specific supplies
for women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities has aggravated the precarious
situation of the most vulnerable IDPs.
Returnee-IDPs, often found their houses and other property, their farms and the basic public
service facilities had been looted and destroyed. As a result, they faced food shortages, lack of
medical services and other social and economic problems.
Pillage, looting, and destruction of property:
In many areas covered by the investigation, and which were under their control, Tigray Forces
carried out widespread and organized pillaging, looting and destruction of government
administration facilities, public service facilities (in particular education, and health facilities),
private property and commercial properties. The breakdown of law and order in the local areas
also resulted in some civilians taking part in the looting.
In many of the areas covered by the investigation, Tigray Forces, with deliberate intent and in a
carefully organized manner, pillaged medical equipment, machinery and other technological
tools and transported them in vehicles.
From hospitals and other health facilities in particular, medicine, equipment such as X-Ray and
Ultrasound machines, blood testing and other laboratory equipment, ambulances and other
medical equipment were pillaged and transported apparently to Tigray region. The
disassembling of medical equipment and machinery was carried out minutely and with the help
of professionals.
Information obtained from the Ministry of Health indicates that 40 hospitals, 453 health centers
and 1,850 health posts (a total of 2343 facilities) in the Amhara Region and 2 hospitals, 19 health
centers and 45 health posts (a total of 66 facilities) in Afar Region, have ceased operations as a
result of the destruction, damage and pillage they sustained.1
The Ministry of Education also reported that, in the Amhara Region, 1,025 schools were
completely destroyed while 3,082 were partially destroyed. In Afar Region, 65 schools were
completely destroyed, and 138 were partially destroyed. In both regions, a total of 1,090 schools
were fully destroyed while 3,220 sustained partial damage.2
Financial institutions, in particular 18 commercial banks, sustained billions of birr worth loss
due to looting and destruction on 346 branches. 3
In addition to the destruction, damage and pillage, Tigray Forces committed further vandalism
on schools, health facilities, historical sites, and private properties they occupied as military
bases or for other purposes by writing insulting text on the walls and by defecating on floors,
tables, chairs and inside drawers. The historical Nigus Eyassu’s Reception Hall in the
Negus/King Michael’s Palace (Ayteyef Hall) in Dessie city and a Health Centre in Ataye city are
amongst those listed as vandalized in this manner.
In many of the areas covered by the investigation, food items, clothing and other commercial
goods in privately owned shops and residential houses, perishable food items, grains and
cereals, electronic goods, animals, and cash money were looted and taken by Tigray Forces; they
also shot and killed domestic animals and cattle.
In parts of Amhara Region retaken from Tigray Forces, property owned by people of Tigray
ethnic origin who fled the areas fearing for their safety and those owned by people suspected of
collaborating with Tigray Forces, were looted by some residents and some members of
government forces. Federal government and Amhara security forces posted in these areas at the
time did not take sufficient protection and prevention measures. In Shoa Robit city, houses and
shops owned by people of Tigray ethnic origin were looted by some residents of the city. In
Senbete city, Jira Wata Rural Kebele, members of Fano militia broke into and looted some
residential houses. In Ataye city, privately owned houses were broken into and looted.
Denial of access to humanitarian assistance:
The conflict has caused a grave humanitarian crisis in Afar, Amhara and Tigray Regions,
significantly increasing the level of humanitarian need. While it is apparent that the ongoing
conflict in Afar Region has impeded humanitarian relief services into Tigray Region,
administrative and bureaucratic criteria and processes by federal and regional governments
have also slowed and limited the humanitarian relief.
In a response provided to EHRC, the Federal Disaster Risk Management Commission (DRMC),
has stated that, as of February 1, 2022, government and partner organizations have
collaboratively provided food and other basic necessities to more than 8 million people who
were in need of humanitarian relief as a result of the war.4 The DRMC has also indicated that
there were no deliberate impediments or blockage of relief by federal or regional authorities, but
that the conflict and resulting security situation may have made relief operations difficult.
Mainly because of active hostilities, checkpoints set up by parties to the conflict, and security
risk to humanitarian workers, access to some parts of Afar and Amhara regions controlled by
Tigray Forces was difficult, and the limited humanitarian relief that reached the areas was
grossly insufficient. While there is some improvement after federal and regional authorities
retook control of these areas, EHRC has observed that the humanitarian situation remains dire.
Economic, social, and cultural rights:
Following the control by Tigray Forces of parts of Afar and Amhara Regions, post June 2021,
there was large-scale destruction of facilities which provide essential services which took years
to build. As a result, there have been serious restrictions on the right to health; access to adequate
food, water and sanitation; and access to basic services such as electricity and banking.
Tigray Forces have exposed residents to food and shelter shortages by pillaging and destroying
private houses, farms, and livestock. The pillage, destruction and burning of schools and health
facilities in particular, had a direct impact on the right to health and education of the civilian
populations. Several expectant mothers lost their lives due to lack of health services. In Meqit
4 Federal Disaster Risk Management Commission- Ref-H2-መመ-35/2 dated 16/06/2014 E.C
Woreda, Shehod Primary Hospital, which is the only hospital in the Woreda, ceased operation
due to the particularly heavy looting and destruction it sustained; 8 expectant mothers in the
Woreda have died as a result.
Violations against children:
Children were killed, subjected to SGBV, physical and psychological injuries, as a direct result
of violent measures taken by parties to the conflict. The destruction of health and education
facilities has resulted in a violation of children’s right to health and education.
Children were exposed to traumatic experiences such as witnessing the killing, physical injury
to or rape of close family members. Beyond the social, economic and psychological injuries,
large-scale civilian displacement has denied children the protection they receive from their
family members.
As a result of violent actions by parties to the conflict, children have been killed; others have
died for lack of medical services because the health facilities were looted or destroyed.
In Chena Kebele, Amhara region, Tigray Forces have shot and killed a civilian man and then
also shot and killed his 7-year-old son in front of his mother saying, “this one will grow up to
attack us”. Children have also been killed by heavy artillery attacks by parties to the conflict in
violation of the principles of distinction, necessity, precaution, and proportionality. In Hamusit
town, Amhara Region, artillery fire by ENDF killed a 2-year-old child and his father and injured
two other members of the family. Artillery shell that fell on another house in the same area,
killed two sisters aged 5 and 15. In Dib Bahir, Amhara Region, a 14-year-old girl who was
detained by two fighters of the Tigray Forces on her way to fetch firewood, recounted how she
was slapped and raped by her captors who kept saying “Your soldiers have raped our mothers
and sisters; so you must be raped too”.
Persons with disabilities and older persons:
Persons with disability and older persons died, suffered physical and mental injury, as a result
of violations committed by parties to the conflict. Older women were subjected to sexual
violence by Tigray Forces. Older persons whose houses and property were destroyed suffered
additional injury, trauma, and exposure to other socio-economic challenges, because they lost
sources of financial support due to family members being killed or physically injured.
In Shoa Robit city, on November 22, 2021, around 9:00 a.m., a 70-year-old man was shot and
killed in his shop because he challenged members of Tigray Forces who wanted to take cigarettes
for free by replying that “no authority condoned/should condone the looting of people who
already had very little”.
On August 10, 2021, a 60-year-old woman, resident of Kebele 04, was raped by Tigray Forces.
Persons with psychosocial disabilities were subjects of specific targeting by Tigray Forces. They
were killed for reasons such as “being on the streets when Tigray Forces marched into locations
they came in control of, for moving around outside instituted curfew hours, for not being able
to execute orders properly or for not being able to respond to questions correctly.” Several
persons with psychosocial disabilities were also killed on suspicion of “being government
spies”.
Suspicion of spying for government is in fact the main reason for their being targeted by Tigray
Forces. Evidence also shows that members of government forces also viewed persons with
psychosocial disabilities as spies.
In Senbete city, a resident with such a condition was taken on two occasions by members of
ENDF who accused him of being “a messenger of Tigray Forces”. While on both occasions, other
residents of the city obtained his release by explaining his condition to those who detained him,
he was later found dead around an area where ENDF was camped/had built a bunker.
Recommendations:
The report forwards detailed recommendations to all parties to the conflict, including the
following:
- Parties to the conflict should, without pre-condition, commit to end hostilities and take
responsibility for violations and abuses committed by their members, make
demonstrable efforts, and commit to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict, - Take urgent measures for an impartial and credible criminal investigation consistent with
applicable international human rights standards to hold to account perpetrators and
groups that committed human rights and humanitarian law violations including genderbased violations, - Ensure that redress for victims, and rehabilitation of affected areas and facilities are
effected with particular focus/urgency, and - That all national and regional actors, and the international community provide support
towards efforts to finding a peaceful resolution, to ensure justice, and provide redress for
victims.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has, on March 11, 2022, published its 110 pages Report on Violations of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law in Afar and Amhara Regions of Ethiopia conducted between September and December 2021. The report, which provides a detailed account of widespread human rights violations against civilians committed by parties to the conflict including its gender dimensions, calls on all actors and institutions to support justice and redress initiatives for victims and the rehabilitation of conflict affected areas.
The report, focusing on Afar and Amhara Regions for the period from July 2021, following the Tigray Forces military offensive and control of several areas in the two regions, builds on the EHRC and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Joint Investigation Report on alleged violations of human rights in the Context of the Conflict in the Tigray Region (JIT) published on November 3, 2021.
EHRC’s 29-member team of investigators conducted investigations in many parts of Afar and Amhara regions affected by the conflict, covering over 50 locations in both regions. In Afar region, the investigation covered several areas in Fenti Resu, Kilbety Resu and Awesi Resu Zones. Similarly, in Amhara region, the geographic scope of the investigation extended to North Gondar, North Wollo, South Wollo, North Shoa and Oromo Administrative Zones. While the main regional focus of this report was Afar and Amhara regions, the team also conducted limited monitoring and investigation into civilian casualties of air raids/shelling that took place in some parts of Tigray region.
The investigation team conducted 427 confidential interviews and held 136 meetings with various government offices and authorities; it also conducted 12 focus group discussions with religious leaders, community elders and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Interviews conducted include those with victims and survivors, their family members, residents, witnesses, health professionals, aid organizations and civic societies. The investigation mission also collected documentary information and evidence from relevant government and non-government sources.
The investigation was carried out within the framework of relevant international legal norms, including international human rights law, humanitarian law and criminal law, as well as Ethiopian domestic law and other applicable international principles. Consistent with the international practice in similar human rights investigations, EHRC adopted a “reasonable grounds to believe” standard of proof for factual determinations on information and evidence it collected.
The main objectives of the investigation are to provide a faithful account of the human rights violations against civilians committed by all parties to the conflict, including its gender dimensions; to contribute to the process of holding perpetrators to account; to advocate for justice and redress for victims and survivors; as well as to prevent recurrence of similar violations.
The parties to the conflict include Tigray Forces and allied militia (in some locations including the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA)- aka “OLF-Shane”) on the one hand, and the security forces of the government of Ethiopia (Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and allied security forces, Afar and Amhara security forces and allied militia) on the other.
Although this report is not an exhaustive record of all incidents that occurred in all the locations and during the whole of the period covered, it fairly illustrates the main types of violations and abuses and overall situation and patterns of human rights and humanitarian law violations and abuses.
Because the war was conducted largely in towns and rural areas with dense civilian populations, a significant number of civilians have died, suffered physical and psychological injuries as well as sexual and gender-based violence as a direct result of acts of violence committed by parties to the conflict.
The findings show parties to the conflict carried out indiscriminate attacks on civilians who are vulnerable in particular women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons. These attacks on civilians and civilian objects were committed in violation of the principles of distinction, necessity, precaution, and proportionality. By using civilians as human shields, conducting military operations from civilian homes and in urban areas, the parties have caused civilian deaths, physical injuries, and property destruction. Without including the extrajudicial killings, at least 403 civilians have died and 309 have suffered minor to serious physical injuries as a result of acts of violence in the context of the conflict.
In parts of Afar and Amhara Regions covered by this investigation, at least 346 civilians have been subjected to unlawful and extra-judicial killing by parties to the conflict – mainly by Tigray Forces. In areas which were under their control, OLF-Shane also committed targeted killings of government officials and their family members, and civilians they accused of supporting the government
ENDF, Amhara Special Forces, Fano and other militia also committed unlawful and extrajudicial killing of and caused physical injuries to civilians they suspected of supporting Tigray Forces or OLF-Shane.
Tigray Forces committed widespread, cruel, and systematic sexual and gender-based violence including gang rape against women of different ages-girls and elderly women in parts of Afar and Amhara regions under their control. Tigray Forces committed these acts of sexual and gender-based violence to demoralize, dehumanize and punish communities; often indiscriminately and sometimes in a targeted manner. The attacks were often perpetrated in a premeditated and cruel manner including through gang rape, rape in front of family members of victims/survivors, and insertion of foreign objects into the vagina. Often times, these acts were committed with the knowledge of military commanders and officials of the Tigray Forces who, despite pleas from communities under their control, failed to take the necessary and reasonable measures to stop violations and hold perpetrators to account. The EHRC believes the information and evidence it gathered strongly indicate a calculated and systematic use of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) (mostly indiscriminately but also selectively) for warfare by Tigray Forces.
Parties to the conflict engaged in arbitrary detentions, abductions, and enforced disappearances in violation of human rights and humanitarian laws. Tigray Forces engaged in abductions and enforced disappearances in a manner that may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Federal, Afar and Amhara security forces engaged in widespread arbitrary detentions in violation of the principles of necessity, proportionality, and non-discrimination applicable even during a state of emergency.
Tigray Forces committed acts of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment against civilians they accused of refusing to hand over cash or to disclose information, of refusing to handover private weapons, or other similar accusations.
Many civilians were displaced and suffered physical, mental, social, economic and other injuries following the expansion of the conflict into Afar and Amhara Regions. Insecurities resulting from the war and human rights violations including large-scale looting and destruction perpetrated by Tigray Forces were the main drivers of displacement from Afar and Amhara regions.
Separation from family members, inadequate humanitarian assistance including food, health services, clothing, and bedding; as well as shortages of sanitary pads and other specific supplies for women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities has aggravated the precarious situation of the most vulnerable IDPs.
In many areas covered by this investigation, and which were under their control, Tigray Forces carried out widespread and organized pillaging, looting and destruction of government administration facilities, public service facilities (in particular education and health facilities), private property, and commercial properties. The breakdown of law and order in the local areas also resulted in some civilians taking part in the looting.
In many of the areas covered by the investigation, Tigray Forces, with deliberate intent and in a carefully organized manner, pillaged medical equipment, machinery and other technological tools and transported them in vehicles apparently to the Tigray region. From hospitals and other health facilities in particular, medicine, equipment and other laboratory equipment, ambulances and other medical equipment were pillaged and transported.
In Afar and Amhara regions, a total of 2,409 health facilities including hospitals and health posts have ceased operation as a result of the destruction, damage and pillage they sustained. In addition, a total of 1,090 schools were fully destroyed while 3,220 sustained partial damage in both regions.
Financial institutions, in particular 18 commercial banks, sustained billions of birr worth loss due to looting and destruction on 346 branches.
In many of the areas covered by the investigation, Tigray Forces have looted day to day consumables such as food items and clothing, as well as other commercial goods in privately owned shops and/or residences, perishable food items, grains and cereals, electronic goods and others. They have shot and killed domestic and farm animals.
In parts of Amhara Region retaken from Tigray Forces, property owned by people of Tigray ethnic origin who fled the areas fearing for their safety and those owned by people suspected of collaborating with Tigray Forces, were looted by some residents and some members of government forces.
The war has caused a grave humanitarian crisis in Afar, Amhara and Tigray Regions, significantly increasing the level of humanitarian need. While it is apparent that the ongoing conflict in Afar Region has impeded humanitarian relief services into Tigray Region, administrative and bureaucratic criteria and processes by federal and regional governments have slowed and limited the humanitarian relief.
Children were killed, subjected to SGBV, physical and psychological injuries, as a direct result of acts of violence taken by parties to the conflict. Children were exposed to traumatic experiences such as witnessing the killing, physical injury to or rape of close family members. The destruction of health and education facilities has resulted in a violation of children’s right to health and education. Beyond the social, economic, and psychological injuries, large-scale civilian displacement has denied children the protection they receive from their family members.
Persons with disability and older persons died, suffered physical and mental injury, as a result of violations committed by parties to the conflict. Older women were subjected to sexual violence by Tigray Forces. Older persons whose houses and property were destroyed suffered additional injury, trauma, and exposure to other socio-economic challenges, because they lost sources of financial support due to family members being killed or physically injured.
Persons with psychosocial disability were subjects of specific targeting by Tigray Forces. They were killed for reasons such as “being outside/watching when Tigray Forces marched into locations they came in control of, for moving around outside instituted curfew hours, for not being able to execute orders properly or for not being able to respond to questions correctly.” Several persons with psychosocial disability were also killed on suspicion of “being government spies”.
In the detailed conclusions and recommendations that the report forwards, EHRC has stated that the human rights and humanitarian law violations that have been committed in Afar, Amhara and parts of Tigray Region may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. It therefore called for an impartial and credible criminal investigation consistent with applicable international human rights standards to ensure accountability. EHRC has reiterated that ensuring accountability for all violations committed by all parties to the conflict lies primarily with the Government.
The widespread nature of the human rights violations detailed in the report and the large number of civilian populations affected also demonstrates that the task should not be left solely to the criminal justice apparatus. Accordingly, relevant national and international institutions should coordinate support to the Government in rehabilitation and resumption of health, education and other public facilities and services as well as relief services to IDPs and conflict affected populations.
Stating that national institutions and the international community do have a role to play to implement recommendations from both the JIT report and this latest report, EHRC Chief Commissioner Daniel Bekele said, “It is imperative for all parties to the conflict to take responsibility for the grave human rights violations committed by their members and leaders, and to deliver on their duty to ensure accountability. For victims and their families, this is the first unavoidable step.” Daniel Bekele added that “parties to the conflict should without precondition commit to end hostilities to prevent further injury from this over fifteen months long war and find a political resolution to the conflict”. He also called on all relevant authorities to immediately start the process of implementing the recommendations from the report.
