Article: The Silent Tragedy: Enforced Disappearances and Human Rights Violations in Tigray

The humanitarian crisis in Tigray remains one of the most profound and overlooked tragedies of our time. The region has been engulfed in violence, ethnic persecution, and systematic human rights violations since the genocidal war began in November 2020. Despite the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, which was intended to bring peace, reports of extrajudicial killings, mass detentions, and enforced disappearances continue to emerge in areas forcefully and illegally occupied by Amhara and Eritrea forces, painting a grim picture of suffering and impunity (Addis Standard, 2024).

The Human Toll of Enforced Disappearances

Enforced disappearances have become a defining aspect of the genocidal war in Tigray. Families are left in a perpetual state of uncertainty as their loved ones are taken away by security forces, never to be seen again. Reports from international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have documented countless cases where Tigrayan civilians have been arbitrarily detained and disappeared without any legal process (Human Rights Watch, 2021).

One harrowing account comes from Meaza Teklemariam, whose husband was abducted by soldiers while she was seven months pregnant. He was falsely accused of being a fighter despite being a civilian. Eyewitnesses captured the horrors of such disappearances on video, with soldiers seen mocking their victims before executing them (The Guardian, 2024). Such acts of cruelty highlight the extent of the brutality inflicted on Tigrayans.

The Ethiopian government, in coordination with Eritrean and Amhara forces, has used disappearances as a tool of repression. The goal is not only to eliminate perceived enemies but to instill fear within the community, ensuring compliance through terror. The result is a population that lives in fear, unsure of who will be taken next (The Globe and Mail, 2021).

Post-War Displacement and Ethnic Targeting

While the Pretoria peace agreement has reduced large-scale military confrontations, it has not halted the suffering of Tigrayans. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has documented ongoing forced displacements, particularly in areas under forceful and illegal Amhara and Eritrean control. Reports indicate that ethnic Tigrayans are still being expelled from their homes, harassed, and subjected to arbitrary detentions (Addis Standard, 2024).

In Alamata town, anonymous flyers have been distributed, warning Tigrayans to leave or face dire consequences. The EHRC has verified these reports, confirming that ethnic cleansing efforts persist. Those who return to their homes after the war often face renewed persecution, with many being re-arrested, tortured, or forced to flee once again (Addis Standard, 2024).

The Plight of Tigrayans Outside Tigray

The ethnic targeting of Tigrayans is not limited to the Tigray region. In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, Tigrayans have been rounded up in mass arrests based solely on their identity. Reports indicate that many detainees have been held without charge, while others have been forced to pay exorbitant bribes for their release (UMD Media, 2025).

A recent investigation by UMD Media revealed that thousands of young Tigrayan men have been arbitrarily arrested in Addis Ababa, often facing interrogations and mistreatment. Some were detained simply for speaking Tigrigna in public or for owning businesses with Tigrayan names. The government has not provided a formal justification for these actions, leaving families without answers and heightening fears of ethnic persecution (UMD Media, 2025).

Refugees and the Destruction of Camps

The genocidal war has also displaced thousands of Eritrean refugees who were living in Tigray before the war. According to the United Nations, around 20,000 refugees went missing after two refugee camps were destroyed during the fighting. Satellite images confirmed the destruction, and eyewitnesses reported that many refugees were forcibly taken back to Eritrea against their will. This act of forced repatriation, carried out by Eritrean forces, is a violation of international law and underscores the vulnerability of displaced populations in conflict zones (Al Jazeera, 2021).

Seeking Justice Amidst Impunity

Despite overwhelming evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity, justice remains elusive. Survivors of massacres and disappearances express frustration at the lack of accountability. The Ethiopian government has largely dismissed allegations of atrocities, and international pressure has failed to yield meaningful action (The Guardian, 2024).

One widow, Tirhas Berha, whose husband was executed by Eritrean soldiers in Axum, summed up the feelings of many survivors:

"We need justice, but it’s been four years and nothing has happened. They have just forgotten about us." (The Guardian, 2024).

Her words reflect a painful reality—without serious intervention, the suffering of Tigrayans risks being erased from public memory, allowing perpetrators to escape accountability.

What Needs to Be Done?

To address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Tigray, the international community must take decisive action:

• Independent Investigations – The United Nations and international human rights bodies must conduct impartial investigations into war crimes and enforced disappearances. Perpetrators must be held accountable.

• Stronger Sanctions – Governments worldwide should impose targeted sanctions on Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Amhara officials responsible for human rights abuses.

• Protection for Displaced Tigrayans –Displaced Tigrayans must be guaranteed the right to return home safely.

• Diplomatic Pressure – The peace agreement should be enforced with mechanisms that ensure compliance and prevent further atrocities.

• Increased Awareness – Global media must continue to shed light on the crisis to prevent it from fading into obscurity. The more the world knows, the harder it becomes for perpetrators to act with impunity.

Conclusion

The crisis in Tigray is not over. The suffering continues, hidden from the eyes of the world. Families are still searching for their disappeared loved ones, while displaced communities struggle to survive. The international community must not turn a blind eye. Without justice, the wounds of Tigray will remain open, fueling further cycles of violence and despair.

The question remains: How long will the world stand by and watch?

Bibliography

• Addis Standard. (2024, February 20). Despite improvement, isolated forced displacement of Tigrayans continue after Pretoria deal: Rights Commission. Retrieved from https://addisstandard.com

• Al Jazeera. (2021, February 2). Ethiopia: UN says 20,000 refugees missing in Tigray. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com

• Human Rights Watch. (2021, August 18). Ethiopia: Ethnic Tigrayans Forcibly Disappeared. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org

• The Globe and Mail. (2021, November 8). ‘They just vanished’: Tigrayans disappear for months in secret Ethiopian detention camps. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com

• The Guardian. (2024, November 7). Rounded up, massacred and posted on social media: can Ethiopia bring justice for atrocities in Tigray? Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com

• UMD Media. (2025, February 24). Arbitrary arrests of Tigrayans escalate in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa. Retrieved from https://umdmedia.com