A preliminary report by the government’s own Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) confirmed that at least 45 civilians were recently killed in extrajudicial executions in different parts of Amhara regional state’s east Gojam zone, confirming multiply media reports including by Addis Standard.
The Commission’s preliminary report, pending additional investigations, uncovered that at least 45 civilians were killed in extrajudicial execution “by government security forces” because they were accused of “supporting Fano”.
The killing also extended to civilians who were arrested on suspicion of being members of Fano and whose number could not be confirmed for the time being,” EHRC said.
Last week, residents in Merawi town in the North Gojjam zone of the restive Amhara region who were in state of shock a week after Told Addis Standard that the killings were “execution-style.”
From the list of names of civilians gathered from various sources, the Commission has been able to identify and confirm the killing of only 45 civilians. “However, it is possible to take a reasonable estimate that the extent of the damage may be greater than this.”
Of these at least 18 civilians were killed while in hiding in one place after they left their homes for works following a fighting in the early hours on 20 January between government security forces and the local armed forces, commonly known as Fano, in Marawi town, east Gojam Zone of Amhara regional state.
xigasho:Addis Standard
Bandhige@gmail.com