By Abel Tewodros

BRUSSELS — The European Union has responded to an urgent appeal from international Amhara diaspora organizations regarding what they describe as systematic atrocities against the Amhara people in Ethiopia, as a month-long global demonstration campaign concluded outside EU institutions in Brussels in late November.

The International Amhara Associations Union (IAAU), representing over 20 Amhara associations worldwide, organized demonstrations across major cities, including London, Frankfurt, The Hague, Berlin, Stockholm, Geneva, Washington DC, and Brisbane under the banner “Amhara Mothers’ Tears” from October 26 to November 27, 2025.

Serious Allegations Presented to EU Leadership

In a November 27 letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the IAAU detailed allegations of what they characterize as genocide and systematic persecution of the Amhara people since 2018, with escalation since April 2023.

The diaspora organization cited specific incidents, including drone strikes on civilian areas, mass killings, and documented cases of torture and execution. They referenced reports from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and a recent BBC investigation published on November 19, 2025, which they claim provides evidence of systematic targeting of Amharas.

The letter highlighted two cases from October 2025 involving young women who were allegedly captured, tortured, and executed while in government custody. The organization also drew attention to a BBC report on allegations of sexual violence being used as a weapon of war.

According to the IAAU, millions have been displaced and over 100,000 people detained. The letter further claimed that educational institutions remain closed, affecting over five million youth, and that deliberate destruction of livelihoods has created humanitarian crises in Amhara regions.

Five-Point Action Plan Requested

The diaspora coalition called on the EU to:

Publicly recognize the situation as genocideLaunch an independent international investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanityImpose targeted sanctions on Ethiopian officials allegedly responsibleSuspend direct financial cooperation with the Ethiopian government pending accountability measuresEnsure unrestricted humanitarian access to Amhara regions

EU Response Emphasizes Ongoing Engagement

In a January 6, 2026 response from the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU acknowledged receipt of the concerns while outlining its existing engagement on Ethiopia’s human rights situation.

Jonas Jonsson, Head of Division for the Horn of Africa and East Africa at the EEAS, noted that the EU initiated a resolution at the Human Rights Council establishing an International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) to investigate alleged violations.

The response referenced an October 2024 statement at the 57th UN Human Rights Council session where the EU, representing 45 countries, expressed serious concern about the human rights situation in Ethiopia and violations by both state and non-state actors.

“The EU continues to stand by those who have been victims of such violations and abuses,” Jonsson wrote, adding that the organization has been monitoring the situation closely and engaging in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.

The EEAS response emphasized that the EU “will not cease on its efforts to support peace, justice and political inclusiveness in the country,” but did not directly address the specific requests for sanctions, aid suspension, or genocide recognition.

Context of Ongoing Crisis

Ethiopia has faced multiple humanitarian and security crises in recent years, including the two-year Tigray conflict that ended in November 2022. Since April 2023, the federal government has been engaged in armed conflict with Fano militias in the Amhara region following the dissolution of regional special forces.

According to diaspora organizations and human rights groups, the Ethiopian government has conducted over 250 drone strikes on civilian populations, executed mass killings, and carried out systematic extrajudicial executions. The IAAU documented specific massacres including the Merawi incident where over 250 civilians were allegedly killed by government forces, and the Deber Elias atrocities where over 600 people were reportedly executed.

Human rights organizations have also documented drone strikes on schoolchildren, arbitrary mass detentions, and the displacement of millions from their homes. The UN’s International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia has been investigating alleged violations and abuses committed by the Ethiopian government since November 2020.

As of January 2026, the killing of Amhara civilians by government forces continues unabated, with humanitarian organizations reporting ongoing challenges in accessing affected populations while the death toll mounts daily.

Sources:

International Amhara Associations Union (IAAU). “Urgent Appeal for EU Action to Halt the Genocide and Systematic Atrocities Against the Amhara People in Ethiopia.” Letter to H.E. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Reference No: IAAU-EU-URGENT-2025. November 27, 2025.European External Action Service (EEAS). “Response to the letter on the situation of the Amhara people in Ethiopia.” Letter to International Amhara Associations Union. Ares(2025)10372546. Signed by Jonas Jonsson, Head of Division, Horn of Africa & East Africa. January 6, 2026.

Abel Tewodros can be reached at: abeltewodrosarticles@gmail.com

European Union Response to International Amhara Associations Union available here
International Amhara Associations Union (IAAU) letter to European Union available here

__

Disclaimer: Content in the Press Release category is provided by third parties and published as received, without editorial modifications. Borkena.com, one of the leading Ethiopian news portals based in Toronto, assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information. Reports, views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Borkena.com

Support  : https://borkena.com/subscribe-borkena/
Borkena Ethiopian News Youtube Channel
Join our Telegram Channel : t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook

To submit Press Release, send submission to info@borkena.com

Add your business to Ethiopian Business Listing / Ethiopian Business Directory  

Join the conversation. Follow us on X (Formerly Twitter)  @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian News updates regularly.