The TPLF forces had committed grave breaches of International Humanitarian Law set out in Common Article 3 to the Geneva conventions, additional protocol ii thereto and Customary International Humanitarian Law which tantamount to war crime under the international criminal law rules.  Under the same International criminal laws, the widespread and systematic natures of this documented deliberate killing of civilians are elements of crime against humanity.

It can be understood from the statistics assembled that a total of 7,003 innocent people died without any participation in the war due to the conflict in the Amhara region. Among them, 5755 (82%) died in South Wollo (2400), North Wollo (2326) and North Shewa (1029). The high death rate recorded in these three zones was due to the relatively wide scope of the TPLF forces who stayed longer period of time, that lasted for months. 

When we look at the ratio of the number of innocent people killed by deliberate attack by TPLF forces, according to their age, 1684 (70.9%) of them were in the age group of 18 to 59. This shows that the TPLF forces had killed productive citizens (young people and adults) in particular. In this regard, it can be understood from the evidence that youths, wealthy and influential people and their families were the focus of the attack by TPLF forces.

Following the youth and adults, 366 children under the age of 18 (including a four-year-old child) were killed by this force (15.4%); 326 elderly and infirm persons over 59 years of age (13.7%) were among those killed without any participation in the conflict.

Similarly, in terms of gender, 1650 men (69%); 726 women (31%) were killed in direct attacks.

Therefore, the massacre of innocent Amhara especially 366 children; and 726 women because of direct attacks shows the cruel nature of TPLF forces and its bitter hatred and revenge for the Amhara people in general.

The study team found that extra judicial and summary killings were made primarily by TPLF forces. The team identified that the atrocity was perpetrated not only by ordinary TPLF militiamen, but also by TPLF senior military officials. Some wear non-military ordinary clothes which were different from uniforms that used by the Federal Defence Force, Special forces and Federal police. All of the perpetrators spoke Tigrigna when they committed the killing of persons who have no parts in the hostilities.

All eyewitness and survivors responded that those who committed the killing spoke Tigrigna. Several eyewitnesses stated that “We were at home when TPLF forces who spoke Tigrigna and killed our relatives and neighbors.

A 70-year-old man said that two TPLF fighters killed his son, 23, and nephew, 24, in his home in Chenna’s Agosh-Mado neighbourhood on September 2: “At about midday two Tigrigna speaking fighters came to my compound … they asked for our identity cards. Then they tied my son and nephew’s hands behind their backs and took them out through the gate of my compound and shot them dead there. Then they turned to me, and I begged them not to kill me and they left.

These atrocities were perpetrated in context the TPLF militias had been in active hostility with the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) and the Amhara Special Force (ASF), Amhara Regional Militias and Fano (Voluntary Amhara popular force), and when the places were under the occupation of TPLF forces.

The research conducted by Bahir Dar University revealed systematic, grave, and ethnic-based extra judicial killings. The team of researchers found that civilians were killed by TPLF forces without any involvement in the conflict. TPLF forces showed brutal disregard for human life and the laws of war by executing civilian people in their custody. The number of extra judicial killings was high in areas TPLF had wider control and stayed longer.

In most of incidents, there were summary killings accompanied with horrible and cruel execution of fatality and there was also ethnic based slurs and humiliations that inflicted irreparable emotional and physical damages on survivors.

TPLF forces, in some places that were under their control, indiscriminately killed innocent Amhara residents in many parts that were under their occupation. They were brutally killed people at all levels of society, without any legitimate cause. Related to this issue, for example, in an interview with an eyewitness who was a resident of Kombolcha city revealed that "... they wrote the words 'Tigrai prevails' on the big road, and they killed shooting behind anyone who crossed that road, nonmatter the victims were crossing innocently and without looking what was written."

This is an indication of how much the TPLF forces used to kill residents without any reason. In general, the TPLF forces killed innocent people in various areas. They brutally massacred two or more brothers from one family, including a father and son, as well as persons with disabilities.

For example, research sources indicated that in South Wollo Zone Legambo district, a deaf person had killed by them just because they could not communicate with each other. Similarly, in North Gondar, a mother was shot and killed by Tigray invading forces just because she said, "Why are you beating my son?  

Other sources revealed that, on August 31, Tigrayan forces entered the village of Chenna and engaged in sporadic and at times heavy fighting with Ethiopian federal forces and allied Amhara militias. Chenna residents told team of research that over the next five days Tigrayan forces summarily executed 26 civilians in 15 separate incidents, before withdrawing on September 4.

In addition, sources of information described the situation as follows...

"A mother and child were killed from the same house. Two people were brutally cut off their hands and gouged out their eyes.

In relation to the information team of researchers got directly from the people who were interviewed, the following can be counted to tell as evidence regarding the extent and severity of the massacre.

"As soon as the TPLF forces entered, they started checking government institutions; next to that, they entered every individual's house and killed the young man by removing his clothes under the pretext that he was a soldier..., though, they knew it as unfounded reasons". This was happened in Dehana, Waghemra.

In addition, the TPLF forces brutally killed religious leaders, infirm elders, disabled people, children (including a four-year-old child) and even people with mental disabilities who were homeless in various areas they had control. Regarding such attacks, people who participated in group discussions held in various places in South Wollo described the situation as follows:

"...There were many people who died. People who walk quietly have been killed. They killed a mentally ill person who was mugged.  He used to say kill him, because he always used to say that on the day of peace, when he said that word, they killed him.

"...they don't choose a patient when they kill; for example, there is a driver named ...; His son was sick. They shot and killed his mentally ill son"

These are some of the examples for TPLF forces cruel and inhuman treatment of people and extra judicial killings of innocent civilians.

In most areas, large numbers of victims were between the age group of 18 to 59. This shows that the TPLF forces have killed productive citizens (young people and adults) in particular. In this regard, it can be understood from the evidence that youths, wealthy and influential people, government leaders and their families were the main target of the attack. Our research also revealed that the TPLF forces had no mercy even for women and girls, in addition to youth men.

The study also found mass graves in different parts of Amhara region: mass graves in Chenna, Kewet (two mass graves), Menz Gera (two mass graves), Antsokiaia Gemza (six mass graves), Agamsa, Kombolcha, and Mersa are examples.

In addition, it can be understood from other qualitative data that in the places occupied by TPLF forces, they killed those they found in front of them on the road, and we understand that they used to line up two or more young people in different places and massacre them in masses.

• Methodology employed in the collection of information: Bahir Dar University School of Law organized a research team that comprised of 5 principal investigators and several data collectors to assess the human right violation in the Amhara region during the conflict. This was followed by development of data collection instruments. Taking the multidimensional nature of the incidents and human right violations, data was collected from various groups of participants. Participants such as Victims/Survivors, government officials and professionals, doctors, health professionals, eyewitness and those affected were selected purposefully. In getting relevant data, the study used multiple tools: interview guides, observation checklists, and document review/analysis guide. The research team collected data on the ground employing well accepted methodologies of fact findings such as field visit, Interview with Victims/survivors, officials, doctors, eyewitnesses and those affected focus group discussion, and observation. Ethical issues were adhered during data collection. Before data collection the consent of the respondents was secured after they understand the purpose of the research. The collected data was checked for completeness at various levels, cleaned, organized and made ready for analysis. Analysis was made using narration, thematic and content analysis.