Four U.S.-based Amhara diaspora organizations on Friday urged the United Nations and international rights bodies to open an independent investigation into what they described as a string of atrocities against Amhara civilians and captured members of the Amhara Fano National Force (AFNF). The statement, issued by the Amhara Association of California together with sister groups in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego and Dallas, accuses forces loyal to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of committing extrajudicial killings, sexual violence and mutilation.
The release names several recent incidents — including the October 13 killing of a 19-year-old wounded AFNF fighter and the reported rape and murder of three other young women — and calls for immediate protection for civilians, unfettered humanitarian access, and prosecution of those responsible. The organizations said they are forwarding the allegations to the UN and other human-rights bodies and warned that continued international silence risks normalizing such crimes. (Text of the diaspora statement provided to reporters.)
Analysts and human-rights monitors say the Amhara region has been the scene of intense fighting between federal forces and Fano/AFNF groups for more than a year, and that the conflict has produced repeated accusations of abuses on multiple sides. Independent summaries and background reporting describe a pattern of heavy fighting, drone strikes and mass casualties in parts of Amhara in 2024–25.
The diaspora groups’ announcement follows social-media postings and regional reports that have circulated graphic video and eyewitness accounts; such material has drawn condemnation from Amhara activists and calls for accountability from within the diaspora. Rights researchers and several independent commentators have documented prior allegations of mutilation, summary executions and attacks on civilians in the region.
The press release demands an international fact-finding mission and prosecution of commanders and officials who “ordered or enabled” violations, and urges the African Union, ICC and UN to act. It also states that the groups will continue advocacy and documentation work to ensure the incidents enter the international record.
Ethiopian government spokespeople did not respond to the diaspora statement included with this report; past government communications have characterized Fano groups as insurgents and said security operations are necessary to restore order. Independent verification on the ground remains difficult because access to conflict zones in Amhara has been restricted at times, complicating efforts by journalists and investigators to confirm some of the more serious allegations.
Human-rights organizations and diplomats say an impartial, on-the-ground investigation is the only reliable way to assess the claims, collect evidence and determine whether violations meet the thresholds for war crimes or crimes against humanity. The diaspora groups said they hope international investigators will move quickly to prevent further abuses and to secure redress for victims.
