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The U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia, Ervin Massinga, said recently that the U.S. government was deeply concerned by the reports from the town of Merawi and called for unfettered access by independent human rights monitors
The U.S. is calling for an investigation into an alleged massacre of civilians in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. More than 80 people were killed last week following clashes between soldiers and armed groups, according to some reports.
The U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia, Ervin Massinga, said recently that the U.S. government was deeply concerned by the reports from the town of Merawi and called for unfettered access by independent human rights monitors. It also called for an impartial investigation to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. Massinga said in a statement that the reported killings of civilians in Merawi followed disturbing reports of other violations in Amhara and elsewhere in Ethiopia, which is gripped by several internal conflicts.
A rebellion broke out in Amhara last April when the government moved to dissolve regional forces and absorb them into the federal army. A militia group known as the Fano launched a surprise assault in August in which they captured towns across Amhara over several days before retreating to the countryside. The Rights monitors have documented a range of human rights abuses by government forces during the conflict, including alleged extra-judicial killings.
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Recently, the Ethiopia Human Rights Council said it had received information showing that massive human rights violations were committed during fighting in Merawi on Jan. 29. It said more than 80 civilians were killed, mostly men.Last week, Ethiopia’s parliament voted to extend a state of emergency in the Amhara region in an attempt to quash the Fano rebellion.
