Overview

Authorities suppressed the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including by intimidating human rights defenders and others, and blocking internet access in Amhara region. Activists, human rights defenders, journalists and artists were arbitrarily arrested and detained and some people fled the country during the imposition of state of emergency laws that were used to target peaceful dissenters. Reports of crimes under international law, including war crimes, were documented in the armed conflict in Amhara region; the Ethiopian National Defence Force carried out unlawful killings, including extrajudicial executions. The prime minister and his government continued to deny such acts and no significant steps towards justice were taken. There was an increase in cases of sexual violence against women and girls; incidents of conflict-related sexual violence continued.