Amnesty International is urging the Ethiopian government to grant independent investigators and media unrestricted access to the Amhara region amid reports of severe human rights abuses following ongoing conflicts between the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and the local Fano militia. Recent airstrikes in the region have reportedly caused numerous civilian casualties, with specific allegations of mass killings in Finote Selam, Bahir Dar, and Shewa Robit.

Amid escalating violence, the Ethiopian government declared a six-month state of emergency on August 4, 2023, granting extensive powers to arrest without court warrants, impose curfews, restrict movement, and ban public assemblies. This state of emergency places the Amhara region under a command post led by the intelligence chief and reporting to the Prime Minister. Media restrictions and internet shutdowns have further hindered information flow and scrutiny.

Previous states of emergency in Ethiopia have resulted in mass arrests, prolonged detentions without trial, and severe communication restrictions. Amnesty International emphasizes the need for international and regional actors to maintain scrutiny and allow the Independent Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, other investigative bodies, and media to operate freely to ensure accountability and human rights protection.

Read more about the importance of unfiltered access for investigators: Ethiopia: Authorities must grant independent investigators, media unfettered access to Amhara region to probe violations under state of emergency