November 4, 2021
Cited article by Al Jazeera
HRRC's Response:
Ethiopia is currently in a nationwide state of emergency, with leaders telling civilians to be prepared to defend the capital. Fighters from the Tigray region are threatening to march on the capital city. The state of emergency allows not only for barricades to be erected and for transportation to be halted but also for warrantless arrests of civilians and anyone of military age being conscripted to fight. Anyone found violating the terms of the state of emergency could face 10 years in prison.
A communications blackout is currently in place in the northern regions of Ethiopia, making it difficult to verify battlefield reports. The U.S. has publicly condemned the Tigrayan fighters' expansion of war beyond Tigray but has stated that this expansion is predictable considering Ethiopia cut off humanitarian relief and commercial access in June amid widespread reports of famine. The US is currently announcing it will revoke trade privileges with Ethiopia due to violations of international human rights.
HRRC is dismayed by the growing humanitarian emergency in Ethiopia and calls for an immediate end to the violence. As the fight heads to the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, civilians face extreme danger of physical harm and abuses of their rights by both Tigrayan fighters and the Ethiopian government. All involved parties must cease their attacks and protect civilians from further harm.