HRW accuses Ethiopia of attacks on medical facilitiesNEW YORKEthiopian forces have committed "widespread attacks amounting to war crimes against medical professionals, patients, and health facilities" in the conflict-torn Amhara region, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday. In a 66-page report based on interviews with 58 people, including victims and eyewitnesses, global rights watchdog HRW said it had documented attacks by federal forces and a pro-government militia against "medical workers, healthcare facilities, and transports in at least 13 towns". "Federal forces have obstructed access to medical facilities, including by wrongfully arresting patients on mere suspicion of a Fano affiliation, causing widespread fear for those that may seek or need treatment," it added. The rights group said that international humanitarian law offered "special protections to health facilities, medical professionals, patients, and ambulances". But HRW deputy Africa director Laetitia Bader said Ethiopia's federal forces "operating with near impunity are unsurprisingly disregarding civilian lives by attacking medical facilities."
