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Breaking News: Human Rights Update in Ethiopia Reveals Alarming Trends in 2023

June 14, 2024

In a comprehensive report released by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the human rights situation in Ethiopia throughout 2023 has been revealed, showcasing significant challenges despite some improvements in certain regions.

Key Findings:

1. Increased Human Rights Violations: The report documents 594 incidents of human rights violations and abuses affecting 8,253 victims in 2023, marking a 55.9% increase from the previous year. The most common violations included arbitrary arrests and detentions, killings, torture, enforced disappearances, and attacks on civilian property.

2. Impact on Amhara and Oromia Regions: Violent clashes in the Amhara and Oromia regions significantly impacted the human rights landscape. In Amhara, 740 civilians were killed, with government forces primarily responsible for these deaths. Oromia saw 366 civilian deaths, largely attributed to ongoing conflicts between the government forces and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA).

3. State of Emergency and Arbitrary Arrests: Following the state of emergency declared on August 4, 2023, there was a notable increase in arbitrary arrests, predominantly targeting ethnic Amhara individuals. The state of emergency, intended to address escalating violence, led to 4,879 arrests by the end of 2023.

4. Sexual Violence: Incidents of sexual violence, including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), were recorded but remained underreported due to sociocultural stigmatization and fear of reprisal. The report documented 82 victims of sexual violence, primarily women and girls.

5. Humanitarian Concerns: The humanitarian situation in Ethiopia remains dire, with violence and drought causing significant displacement. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) faced severe protection concerns, including arbitrary arrests, lack of identification documents, and insufficient access to basic necessities such as food, healthcare, water, and housing.

6. Transitional Justice and Policy Developments: Despite these challenges, there have been notable policy initiatives aimed at improving the human rights situation. A transitional justice policy was adopted by the Council of Ministers on April 17, 2024, and its implementation was launched on May 9, 2024. This policy includes mechanisms for truth-seeking, criminal prosecutions, reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence.

7. Economic and Social Rights: Conflicts and natural disasters have severely impacted economic, social, and cultural rights in Ethiopia. Efforts are ongoing to improve access to health and education, with the implementation of the National Health Equity Strategy and the Sixth Education Sector Development Programme. However, the destruction of infrastructure and displacement continue to pose significant barriers.

8. Government Commitments: The Ethiopian government has made several pledges to advance human rights, including adopting a comprehensive national transitional justice policy and enhancing accountability measures. These commitments were highlighted during the “Human Rights 75” global high-level event in Geneva in December 2023.

Conclusion and Recommendations: The OHCHR report underscores the need for continued international support and engagement to address the ongoing human rights challenges in Ethiopia. It calls for the implementation of the transitional justice policy, increased humanitarian aid, and sustained efforts to promote economic and social rights. The international community is urged to support Ethiopia in its quest for lasting peace and justice for all its citizens.

For more detailed information, the full OHCHR report is available:

By: Habtamu Alemu


This article aims to provide a comprehensive yet accessible overview of the key findings and implications of the OHCHR report on Ethiopia’s human rights situation in 2023.

Habtamu Alemu

Habtamu Alemu is a seasoned journalist and the editor-in-chief of Ethio Eyewitness News.

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