Dr. Andualem Dane, a surgeon specialising in general surgery and liver, pancreas, and bile duct procedures at Bahir Dar University Hospital and Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital, was reportedly killed today in Bahir Dar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) reportedly removed him from his vehicle in the Koshe neighbourhood and executed him while he was travelling to provide medical services, witnesses told DNE Africa.
The incident occurs amidst continuing conflict between the Ethiopian military and Amhara Fano militia in the Amhara region. Human Rights Watch previously reported over 2,000 civilian casualties, sexual violence, and destruction of civilian infrastructure due to the conflict.
Amnesty International and other human rights organisations have expressed concerns about ongoing human rights abuses in Ethiopia, particularly in conflict zones. Last week, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, said: “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 the human rights crisis as the Ethiopian government continues to trample on 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.
“International pressure on Ethiopia is essential as authorities continue to crush civic space, including suspending four prominent human rights organizations, one of which is 32 years old.”
On 28 September 2024, ENDF and Amhara regional security forces reportedly arrested thousands of people across the Amhara region, including members of the judiciary, prosecutors, and academics. While some detainees have been released since then, thousands reportedly remain in arbitrary detention.
