The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) reported that government security forces and armed militias have killed 94 people in the Oromia region over the last two years, as reported by BBC News Amharic on February 23, 2024.
Civilians have been victims of violence in various parts of the Oromia region. The EHRC has been gathering information from September 11, 2021, to November 9, 2021, interviewing 58 people, including victims’ families, in nine zones.
According to the report, civilians were targeted by both the government and armed groups, each accusing them of supporting the other side. Members of federal defense forces and Oromia Special Forces unlawfully killed 52 individuals, claiming these people were either members of or provided information to armed groups. Conversely, members of the Oromo Liberation Army attacked civilians, accusing them of withholding support, having family members in government forces, or sympathizing with the government. The EHRC indicates that the Oromo Liberation Army, also known as Shene, killed 13 people. An informal armed group of Amhara also killed 29 people in Oromia.
In addition to the killings and physical injuries, people in Oromia have been subjected to kidnappings and displacements. The EHRC called for an investigation into the impact of the conflict on civilians and compensation for victims.
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