An Amnesty International report on human rights paints a grim picture of Ethiopia’s Amhara region, highlighting widespread arbitrary detentions four months after a state-led campaign began in September 2024. Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s interim regional director for East and southern Africa criticized the lack of global response:

“The international silence over the mass and arbitrary detention of thousands of people in Amhara region is beyond shameful. Ethiopia’s development partners, as well as African and global human rights bodies, must use their influence to publicly call for the release of all arbitrarily detained people. The world must stop turning a blind eye to Ethiopia’s human rights crisis as the Ethiopian government continues to trample on the rule of law”, Chagutah said.

The Ethiopian government has been accused of detaining thousands without charge or trial, including judges, prosecutors, academics, women, elderly individuals, and those with chronic health conditions. Amnesty International says these actions violate fundamental human rights and undermine the rule of law.

“Keeping thousands of people locked up for months without charge or trial is a travesty of justice and a blatant human rights violation. Not only are thousands of people behind bars without any legal basis, but the Ethiopian authorities have also continued to arbitrarily arrest people in the Amhara region. Authorities must immediately release everyone who is being arbitrarily held or charge them with internationally recognized crimes,” according to the report.

Amnesty also highlighted the suspension of four prominent human rights organizations by Ethiopian authorities, including one with a 32-year history, as further evidence of a crackdown on civic space.

On 28 September 2024, Ethiopia’s military and Amhara regional forces detained thousands of people across the region, transporting them to four mass detention centers, according to Amnesty’s report.The arrests occurred against the backdrop of ongoing fighting between Ethiopia’s military and Amhara armed groups. Members of the judiciary, including judges and prosecutors, were among those detained.

While some releases have taken place — including four judiciary workers in October 2024 and hundreds of detainees, such as women, the elderly, and individuals with health issues, in January 2025 — thousands remain in detention without charge.