The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has uncovered alarming evidence of forced conscription practices in Oromia, including the recruitment of underage children, in blatant violation of both Ethiopian law and international treaties. The findings, based on an extensive investigation conducted from November 12 to November 29, have sent shockwaves through the region and prompted calls for urgent action.
For weeks, Ethiopian media outlets have reported on widespread forced recruitment. Borkena initially highlighted these troubling practices in October, and the EHRC’s investigation has now confirmed many of these claims. Families in Oromia, facing severe coercion, were reportedly forced to pay bribes amounting to tens of thousands of birr to secure the release of their children from recruitment centers.
EHRC teams visited recruitment sites in Adama, Bishoftu, Jimma, and Shashemene, where they conducted interviews with families, conscripts, local militia members, and police officials. Among the documented cases was a 45-year-old single father of four who was forcibly recruited. Even more harrowing were reports of children as young as 14 and 15 being taken directly from schools while still in uniform.
In Jimma, accounts emerged of underage recruitment targeting children as young as 14. The investigation also found that individuals with mental health conditions had been forcibly taken to recruitment centers, further underscoring the indiscriminate nature of these practices.
“These actions are not only unconstitutional but also violate the international conventions Ethiopia has pledged to uphold,” the EHRC emphasized in its findings.
Local families expressed their anguish, recounting how they were pressured into paying bribes to free their children. This practice has compounded the emotional and financial strain on already struggling households.
The EHRC engaged with officials from the Oromia regional government, including the head of the Peace and Security Office, who acknowledged issues with the recruitment process. Officials claimed that corrective measures had been introduced, though skepticism remains about whether substantial changes will follow.
While the EHRC’s investigation focused on Oromia, similar reports of forced conscription have surfaced in other regions, notably Amhara. The Amhara region, which has been mired in conflict, has seen intensified military operations involving over 40,000 troops, according to claims from Fano rebel forces. Despite these efforts, the Fano militia reportedly maintains control over 80% of the region, highlighting the Ethiopian government’s ongoing challenges.
The EHRC’s revelations have drawn widespread condemnation from human rights groups and community leaders, who are demanding accountability and urgent reforms. This latest report underscores the pressing need for Ethiopia to address human rights abuses and implement meaningful measures to protect its most vulnerable populations.
