In its 2022/23 annual report released on Wednesday, the commission said conflicts and attacks in the Oromia region are “extremely concerning and require urgent attention”, adding that the security situation in the Amhara region is “equally concerning”. Several instances of arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearances have been committed in Addis Abeba, Oromia and Amhara regions, violating individual’s right to liberty during the report period which is from June 2022 – June 2023, according to the report. In the Oromia region, victims include opposition political party members, as in the case of members of the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) and the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), it outlined. The report raises concerns on the shrinking of civic space with an increase in the arrest and harassment of media personnel, members of opposition political parties and civil society groups during the reporting period. Despite some positive developments, the commission highlighted persisting issues in relation to rights of persons in detention, women and children, persons with disabilities, and IDPs among others.

Source: Ethiopian News July 12, 2023 16:26 UTC