To

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen

The Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament
The European Commission
The Council of the European Union

 

From:
International Amhara Association Union (IAAU) (an alliance of Amhara civil society organisations worldwide)

 

We, the International Amhara Association Union (IAAU)—an alliance of 20 Amhara civil society organisations worldwide is writing to you with the utmost concern regarding current developments in Ethiopia.

 

Numerous reports document severe human rights violations, ongoing serious conflicts, and systematic violence against the Amhara population. Since 2018, we have observed a profound political shift under the current government toward an ethnically motivated, repressive system that many observers describe as authoritarian and structurally violent.

The situation across the country is extremely critical and is increasingly developing into a dangerous humanitarian and political crisis.

Escalation of Violence and Lack of International Attention

The Amhara region has been in a state of ongoing war since July 2021.

The use of heavy weapons, including drones from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, has not only claimed countless lives but also massively destroyed the social and cultural infrastructure of the population.

According to consistent reports, this violence is not random but exhibits patterns of systematic and state-organizsed executions. At the same time, there is a lack of transparent accountability or independent reporting by government agencies.

Furthermore, the international public is inadequately informed about the extent of the situation: ongoing hostilities, potential war crimes, famine conditions, and widespread and persistent violence against civilians continue to receive little attention.

 

Democratic deficits and restrictions on fundamental rights

In parallel, we observe an increasing restriction of fundamental democratic principles:

·    Restriction of press freedom

·    Targeted repression against independent media

·    Arrest of journalists

·    Raids on newsrooms & Digital blockades and information control

Reports, including those from Freedom House, confirm a pattern of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and restrictions on political activities. Against this backdrop and considering the tactics of war and persecution being employed, the planned elections are neither free nor fair. Many political actors and observers express significant doubts about their legitimacy and view the results as predetermined.  This point to a profound crisis of political legitimacy.

Geopolitical Distraction Amid an Escalating Domestic Situation

At the same time, the government is pursuing foreign policy ambitions, particularly regarding strategic access to the Red Sea. Numerous observers interpret these initiatives as a distraction from the escalating domestic crisis. While war and persecution continue to prevail in regions such as Amhara, political attention is shifting toward geopolitical objectives.

EU funding and the risk of complicity

Against this backdrop, the financial support provided by the European Union fills us with deep concern.

The European Commission has allocated funds to Ethiopia—including 140 million euros in budget support and a total package of 559 million euros. These funds are earmarked for infrastructure, digitalisation, healthcare, and economic reforms. Yet the reality on the ground raises a central question:

How can we ensure that these funds do not indirectly strengthen structures associated with violence, oppression, and human rights violations?

According to reports, state funds—including the national budget—are being used to finance the war. All households across Ethiopia are being forced to contribute to the war in the Amhara region, including financial support, food, logistical aid, and even the deployment of their young people (at least 1–2 of their children) to participate. According to reports, citizens are being pressured through direct home visits to support this war against their citizens.

 

We, the IAAU and Ethiopian opposition groups, believe that the current Ethiopian government is carrying out systematic and state-organised repressive measures nationwide. Against this backdrop, we call on the international community not to overlook these developments, but to respond with clear condemnation, appropriate measures, and a review of any form of support.

Warnings from International Organisations

We expressly refer to reports and analyses from:

• Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2025/country-chapters/ethiopia?utm_source=chatgpt.com
• Amnesty International: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/03/ethiopia-authorities-must-investigate-sexual-violence-summary-killings-and-torture-by-ola-fighters/
• European Centre for Law and Justice (https://eclj.org/
• BBC as well as Ethiopian civil society organisations such as: https://www.amharaamerica.org/​ , https://www.gpethiopia.org/ and https://www.amharawaag.org/

These organisations have repeatedly highlighted serious human rights violations. Furthermore, an analysis by Impact Policies emphasises that the provision of substantial EU funds under the current conditions can be viewed as highly problematic from both a political and a moral perspective.

Our Demands In light of this situation, we demand:

1. Immediate Suspension and a reassessment of all support to prevent further harm to the civilian population. Every euro sent to this government fuels war, displacement, and ongoing crimes.
2.  Independent Investigation:

No further release of funds without:

• An end to the genocidal war against the Amhara people in the Amhara and Oromia regions of Ethiopia
• Withdrawal of government troops that have waged a genocidal war and committed massacres in the Amhara region
• Independent investigations and unrestricted access for international observers: Investigation of the genocide and persecution of the Amhara people in Ethiopia
• Safe working conditions for humanitarian organisations

3. Redirection of funds:

Should the EU insist on disbursement, all funds must be provided exclusively through:

• independent international NGOs
• and UN organisations—under legally binding guarantees that no funds will be used for military purposes, repression, or surveillance.

Conclusion:

We are convinced that the current situation in Ethiopia requires a resolute and responsible response from the international community.

The European Union faces a fundamental decision: Will it support structures linked to serious allegations—or will it defend clear human rights principles?

We therefore call for:

a clear political stance, uniform human rights standards, and a reassessment of all support to prevent further harm to the civilian population.

Every euro sent to this government fuels war, displacement, and ongoing crimes.

 

We thank you for your urgent attention to this matter and await your response.

Sincerely, 

International Amhara Association Union (IAAU)
On behalf of 20 Amhara civil society organisations worldwide.