The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has reported that unsanitary and substandard treatment of detainees has resulted in the deaths of three individuals and injuries to more than 150 others. The situation in Addis Ababa detention centers has deteriorated, with many detainees being transferred to Awash Arba Detention Camp and other informal detention centers following the implementation of the state of emergency.
According to the EHRC’s 3rd Annual Human Rights Situation Report, released on July 5, 2024, three people have died and 190 others have fallen ill due to overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in the city of Galan, also known as Awash Siddha. The report covers the period from June 2023 to June 2024.
The EHRC highlighted significant human rights violations in the Awash Arba detention center, where detainees lack access to medical treatment. High temperatures and the remoteness of the facility exacerbate these issues, contributing to the dire conditions.
The report also revealed widespread arbitrary arrests, mass detentions, and detentions for non-compliance with court decisions across various jurisdictions. Many detainees who were granted bail in Addis Ababa remain incarcerated, reportedly because they were “wanted by the command post, let the supreme order come.”
In addition to the arrests in Addis Ababa, the EHRC confirmed arbitrary arrests by government security forces in the Amhara Region, including in cities such as Bahir Dar, Debre Tabor, Debre Markos, Fenote Salam, Gondar, Lalibela, Mekaneselam, Kobo, and Showa Robit. The treatment of detainees was described as inhumane, with reports of severe mistreatment and neglect.
Daniel Bekele, PhD, the outgoing head of the EHRC, emphasized the need for peaceful means, dialogue, consultations, and a transitional justice process to break the cycle of conflict and address large-scale human rights violations in Ethiopia. He urged all parties involved in armed conflicts and those concerned with the country’s human rights situation to support the national consultation and transitional justice process to ensure its successful implementation.
