APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The United Nations human rights office Tuesday said at least 183 people have been killed in clashes in Ethiopia’s Amhara region since July as the federal government was trying to disarm Amhara voluntary fighters, known as ‘Fano’.
More than 1,000 people have been arrested nationwide, many of them reported to be young people of ethnic Amhara origin, under a state of emergency the government decreed to respond to the violence, the UN added in a statement.
The conflict has been fuelled by accusations among many in Amhara, Ethiopia’s second most populous region that the government is trying to undermine its security. The government denies the accusation.
“Many of those detained were reported to be young people of Amhara ethnic origin suspected of being Fano supporters,” the U.N. office said, referring to the name of the Amhara militia.
“Since early August, mass house-to-house searches have reportedly been taking place, and at least three Ethiopian journalists covering the situation in the Amhara region have been detained.”
The U.N. statement said detainees have reportedly been held in improvised detention centres without basic amenities. It called for those arbitrarily detained to be released and for authorities to stop “mass arrests.”
Government forces reclaimed major towns and cities across the region earlier this month after initially being chased out by the militiamen, but the conflict has ground on.
The conflict has been fuelled by accusations among many in Amhara, Ethiopia’s second most populous region that the government is trying to undermine its security. The government denies the accusation.
“With federal forces reasserting their presence in certain towns and Fano militias reportedly retreating into rural areas, we call on all actors to stop killings, other violations and abuses,” the UN statement said.
MG/as/APA