Systematic Violence against Amhara Civilians in Oromia, Ethiopia

To: Genocide and Atrocity Prevention, Human Rights, and Civilian Protection Organisations.

Dear Sir or Madam,

We write as concerned citizens of Ethiopia to draw your urgent attention to the grave situation facing Amhara civilians mainly in Wollega, Oromia region of Ethiopia.

A Pattern Requiring Urgent Investigation

According to accounts from affected communities, local representatives, and civil societyorganisations, more than 400 ethnic Amhara civilians have reportedly been killed, over 300 homes have been burnt or destroyed, and approximately 15,000 people have been displaced in the last few days only; it is a continuation of decades of targeted massacres.

There are also reports that dozens of Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo churches have been destroyed or burnt, with numerous priests reportedly being killed.

Such a pattern demands immediate independent investigation and serious consideration from the international genocide and atrocity-prevention community.

Involvement of State Security Forces

Particularly members of the Oromia regional security apparatus, including the Geda Commandos, have participated in attacks against Amhara civilians, churches and their properties.

Killing of Qomos Aba Tadesse

Among the most disturbing cases is the killing of Qomos Aba Tadesse, an Ethiopian Orthodox archpriest, at Endodie Selassie Monastery in Gida Ayana, East Wollega. 

According to local accounts, state security personnel entered the monastery during religious services, forcibly removed the priest and subsequently killed him. It is further disturbing that he was stripped of his religious vestments and publicly humiliated, and heartbreaking and outrageous video footage was released and circulated on social media.

A photo showing Qomos Aba Tadesse being stripped of his religious vestments in an apparent attempt to humiliate him before he was killed.

In another heartbreaking case, video footage circulated on social media reportedly shows a wounded child lying beside her mother’s dead body at the roadside. See picture below. 

Those killings should be investigated further and in the context of the wider allegations concerning attacks against Amhara civilians and religious communities in Oromia.

Homes, Churches and Communities Destroyed

The reported burning of more than 300 homes has left families without shelter, possessions and livelihoods. The reported destruction of churches represents a further assault upon the religious and communal life of affected populations.

The reported displacement of more than 15,000 civilians raises an equally serious concern: whether violence and destruction are being used to make the continued presence of Amhara communities in particular areas of Wollega impossible.

Political Rhetoric and Incitement

We are also concerned by the political rhetoric and organised mobilisation that have contributed to an environment of hostility towards Amhara communities from the state and ethnic Oromo extremist activists.

Jawar Mohammed, a prominent Oromo political activist, has been criticised by members of affected communities in this context.

We do not ask that allegations against any individual be accepted without evidence. We ask that relevant speeches, public statements, political activities, and organisedmobilisation be independently examined to determine whether any actor encouraged, facilitated, or legitimated violence against civilians.

An Atrocity-Prevention Concern

The reported combination of identity-based killings, mass displacement, destruction of homes, attacks upon religious institutions and alleged involvement of state security forces constitutes a serious warning.

We therefore urge genocide-prevention and human-rights organisations to assess whether the reported pattern may constitute systematic ethnic persecution, crimes against humanity, genocide or other serious international crimes.

Such a determination must be evidence-based. But waiting for further loss of life before acting would defeat the purpose of atrocity prevention.

Our Urgent Requests

We respectfully call upon relevant organisations to:

• Investigate the reported killings and establish the identities of the victims.

• Investigate the involvement of the Geda Commandos and other security forces.

• Investigate the chain of command who have committed those atrocity crimes.

• Document the destruction of homes, churches and other civilian property.

• Investigate the reported killing of Qomos Aba Tadesse and another priest.

• Preserve and authenticate video, photographic, satellite and other evidence.

• Investigate reported mass graves and burial sites through forensic procedures.

• Document the reported displaced civilians and assess their protection needs.

• Examine allegations of political and activist incitement of violence.

• Assess the risk of further atrocities and recommend urgent preventive measures.

• Press Ethiopian authorities to stop attacking civilians and to protect civilians and permit independent human-rights monitoring in affected areas.

A Matter of Prevention, Protection and Accountability

We emphasise that this appeal is not directed against the Oromo population. Our concern is with the alleged actions of specific individuals, state-backed armed actors, state forces, political networks and state institutions.

The scale of the violence in Wollega cannot responsibly be ignored. More than 400 reported deaths, thousands of displaced civilians, hundreds of destroyed homes and attacks upon religious institutions constitute a serious warning requiring international attention.

The purpose of genocide prevention is to act before atrocities become irreversible.

We therefore respectfully urge your organisation to investigate the allegations, preserve the evidence, protect witnesses and survivors, assess the risk of further atrocities and advocate for immediate civilian protection.

The people of Amhara deserve protection. The victims deserve recognition. The displaced deserve security. The families deserve truth and justice.

We respectfully ask you to act before further civilian lives are lost.

Yours faithfully,

By: Concerned Citizens of Ethiopia