Human Rights Watch Alarmed Over Risks Faced by Sudanese Refugees in Ethiopia Amid Clashes

Human Rights Watch warns that Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia are facing grave risks due to ongoing clashes between federal forces and militias in the Amhara region. Reports indicate severe abuses, including violence and intimidation, from various armed actors in proximity to refugee camps. Calls for better security and protection for refugees are intensifying amid the escalating violence in the region.

Recent conflicts between Ethiopian federal forces and local militias pose significant dangers to Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia, as highlighted by Human Rights Watch (HRW). Clashes, particularly involving the Fano militia in the Amhara state, have exacerbated tensions since the government declared its intent to dismantle paramilitary groups in April 2023. Although a government-imposed state of emergency expired in June, the turmoil has persisted, notably impacting the region that shares a border with Sudan, where a civil war has intensified since 2023. HRW’s deputy Africa director, Laetitia Bader, emphasized the dire circumstances faced by Sudanese refugees who had already fled severe abuses in their homeland. “These refugees have fled horrific abuses back home and urgently need protection, not further threats to their lives,” she stated. The organization reported numerous instances of maltreatment against these refugees, including murder, beatings, looting, kidnapping for ransom, and forced labor near two refugee camps. Interviews with twenty refugees revealed ongoing threats, with one individual recounting traumatic experiences of violence and intimidation from both police and military forces. “We wanted to be safe when we left Sudan, but the beatings and robbery in Ethiopia were a lot for us to take,” a 45-year-old refugee shared. The Ethiopian government has been criticized for situating refugee camps in areas vulnerable to conflict while providing limited security measures. Following the escalation of clashes in Amhara, the Awlala and Kumer camps were closed in July, raising further concerns about the safety of refugees in the region.

The ongoing civil conflict in Sudan has resulted in significant refugee flows into neighboring Ethiopia. The government in Sudan, under the leadership of Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, is engaged in a violent power struggle against the Rapid Support Forces, which has displaced tens of thousands of individuals. The Amhara region of Ethiopia, experiencing its own internal strife with regional militias like the Fano, has become a refuge for these Sudanese individuals. However, the safety and security conditions in the region have deteriorated, leading to concerns about the treatment and protection of refugees.

The increasing violence and instability in both Sudan and Ethiopia highlight the urgent need for international attention and intervention to protect vulnerable populations. Sudanese refugees, who have already suffered immensely, require immediate protection rather than facing further threats to their safety. Human Rights Watch’s findings call for an urgent response from both the Ethiopian government and the international community to address these violations and ensure the safety of refugees.

Original Source: www.newarab.com