The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has urged swift action to address enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions following its investigation documenting 52 cases between July 2023 and October 2024.
These detentions occurred at military sites and undisclosed locations outside Addis Ababa, raising concerns about the rule of law and human rights in Ethiopia.
In its report published on October 23, 2024, the EHRC detailed incidents from various regions, including Addis Ababa, Amhara, and Oromia.
It revealed how security forces, often using unmarked vehicles, apprehended individuals from their homes or workplaces, sometimes in front of witnesses.
The investigation found that out of the 52 detainees, 44 were eventually freed after being held for up to nine months, while eight remain missing.
The report noted that some individuals were taken to unofficial detention centers after their cases had already gone to court.
In some instances, detainees were transported to different locations while blindfolded, further complicating efforts to track their whereabouts.
One of the former detainees, Mechemegeta Andualem, who was released in March 2024 after spending seven months at the “Russian Camp” military base, recalled being held in solitary confinement for over a month.
He mentioned witnessing around 60 others detained at the same facility.
Additionally, the EHRC uncovered a troubling pattern of financial extortion, with families reportedly paying large sums to secure the release of their relatives.
One of the security officers involved in these bribes was identified as holding the rank of major.
The report also highlighted the poor conditions in which many detainees were held, with some lacking access to legal representation and others subjected to physical abuse during interrogations.
One former detainee described being confined in a tiny, dark cell for over two weeks, while others reported being moved between multiple detention centers, including the Oromia Regional Office compound and locations along the road to Mexico.
In some cases, detainees were transferred to harsh environments such as Awash Arba, where they endured extreme heat, insufficient food, and inadequate living conditions.
The EHRC also documented instances where detainees were only released after their families paid bribes in remote locations.
Despite repeated attempts to engage the Ministry of Defense for clarification on these detentions, the Commission has received no response.
The EHRC urged Ethiopian authorities to end the use of unofficial detention sites, citing the lack of oversight and inhumane conditions in such facilities.
EHRC Commissioner Rakeb Mesele stressed that these practices not only violate the victims’ rights but also inflict significant social and financial burdens on their families.
She reiterated the Commission’s call for Ethiopia to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, underscoring the need for systemic reform.
The EHRC has previously released reports documenting similar human rights violations between 2018 and 2023, involving arbitrary detentions carried out by police, government officials, and military personnel.