Ethiopia HRW implicates Ethiopian Gov in violation of international law

Human Rights Watch implicates Ethiopian government forces in violations of international law, potentially amounting to war crimes.
The summary from Human Rights Watch dated July 3, 2023, portrays a dire situation in Ethiopia's Amhara region. It details the destruction of the healthcare system across 13 towns within various zones of Amhara. The report indicates that the Ethiopian military may have committed grave breaches of international humanitarian law, potentially constituting war crimes. In August 2023, the outbreak of armed conflict between federal forces and the Amhara militia FANNO severely affected healthcare services. A doctor from West Gojjam, Solomon, experienced intimidation and threats from Ethiopian soldiers, who accused him of supporting FANNO. Human Rights Watch documented similar mistreatment of healthcare workers throughout Amhara, suggesting that government forces may have engaged in international law violations that could be considered war crimes.
The ordeal for the Amhara people started following April 2023 protests over the disbanding of regional forces, leading to extensive violence. The Ethiopian government declared a state of emergency, deploying the military and militias to confront FANNO. The civilian population suffered immensely, with attacks on hospitals, looting of medical supplies, and significant barriers to healthcare.
Despite global appeals for accountability and aid, progress has been scant. The UN and AU face calls to intensify their oversight, investigate the reported abuses, and guarantee the safety of healthcare professionals. The ongoing conflict continues to hinder relief operations and aggravate the humanitarian emergency in the region. We will have more on this story on our Friday 4 4 2 news segment!