Emotional and psychological abuse aimed at breaking down self-esteem and self-worth (such as intimidation coercion, bullying, ridicule, humiliation , gas lighting , harassment, infantilization, isolation, silence, manipulation, control, threats particularly on women, children and elderlies)
Detail description
TPLF forces have attacked the moral and societal fabric of the people living in those 8 zonal administrations. The large-scale study has shown that there were widespread attempts to create a horrifying and chaotic atmosphere by exposing the people to war, using them as human shields, having them suffer agonizing deaths, having them forcibly displaced, creating family separation, and, contributing to their overall despair. All these were done to degrade the peoples of the aforementioned areas. All of these have led to mental health issues that will have long-lasting cognitive complications according to some moderate predictions. In the census, it was shown that 429,443 people were living with psychological and mental scars. Among those psychological survivors, 73.6% of them exhibited two or more psychological problems. For example, 70% of the survivors suffered from anxiety, 64% from depression, 55% from hopelessness, 50% from a post-traumatic stress disorder and 34% from suicidal tendencies. Among the people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (total being 213,694), 128,622 (which is 87%) have had either attempted suicide or suicidal intentions. In general, this study has shown that the people living in those 8 administrative zones suffered emotionally, mentally and behavior-wise, which will have a long-lasting effect.
In addition to the quantitative data, we also had qualitative data showing the extent of the psychological terror and tortures, fear, humiliations, cultural and identify humiliations that the people living in those 8 zonal administrations experienced. There were people who die because of malnutrition (which we will communicate by another responsible body); physical abuse; and negligence, evicting or threatening to evict women and children by force from their homes were also other form of psychological terror in violation of their human right. Dehumanized perception and callings (for example Amhara is donkey; see the testimonies). Emotional and psychological abuse aimed at breaking down self-esteem and self-worth were all observed in this census study.
Few testimonies of GBV survivors from interview and focus group discussions
Woldiya city Kebele 04
“...when the members of the invading forces dragged our friend, he let him-self fall into the open sewerage system. After a couple of day, we asked him why he did that, he said that he does not want his children to see him while being shot and die; he wanted to die inside. The psychological suffering he has been in was incomprehensible.”
Waghimira, Dahina Woreda
With sigh and grief, the other discussant stands and framed the crisis as follows
“I can’t say enough the psychological suffering our community experienced because of the Tigrean an invading forces. Our daughters, wives, and women’s were raped and the trauma is probably going to stay in their mind all throughout their lives. I don’t know how we could help them healing. Before I came here, I invited a woman who was raped to attend this discussion, though she refused to disclose herself as she fear our community may stigmatize and discriminate her. This is what happened to her: she was struggling and confronting with the member of Tigrean invading force and ultimately she couldn’t cope and begged him at least to use condom. She begged him by name of his own biological sisters [assuming he has]. But his replies to her begging were sickening. He replied to her by saying “I don’t use condom to have sex with a donkey”, referring her Amhara identity as a donkey. [The facilitator of the discussion noted that the person narrating this was sobbing].”
North Wollo Zone, Woldiya city, Kebele 04
“There’re unrobed and enact houses, but there is individual who is psychologically unhurt. We cannot count them as the way we count the physical damage and how many individuals got sustained injuries/died. If we ask the number of people with psychological suffering, all the people of Woldiya city both the displaced and the other portion who decided to stay in the city suffered a lot. Particularly, the people who have left the city were too worried about their own families who have left at home. They were told that all the people who in here are dead. We, on the other hand, were suffered to a great extent about the whereabouts of our family members who left the city for a better security. We were disconnected to the rest of the country and didn’t know what is happening. “
Waghimira, Dahina Woreda
“I really sorry if I get too emotional while telling our emotions, behavioral and psychological despair we have experienced. It gives me heartache! We are broken in every dimension. I have never seen this kind of horrifying situation in my life. Many horrifying massacres and terrors have happened throughout the world, but I’m convinced that no community have ever experienced as the way our community did. The people of Tigray are connected in blood and identity with our people; specially the people living on the Northern parts of Ethiopia. The Tigrean invading forces are by no means different to us. They are our own part and people. The most things I am puzzled is why they really want to obliterate us all. I really don’t get it. How does a person come to only kill his own brothers and sisters?”
North Gondar Zone, Telemet wordea
“The psychological terror we experienced was really high. Every time there is a gunshot our children panicked and worried that they are going to get killed. They are living with fear. Very little noise terrifying them and think the invading forces are going to attack them again. The elderly and mothers experiences are not different either. We were unable to escape on barefoot and we had no choices other than seeing what comes next and sleep with terror every time they knock our door hunting for young peoples they think they are their enemy.”
North Gondar, China Kebele
The survivor of China massacre testimony
“I have lost my father, my uncle, my husband, my nephew. They all were shot and killed by the Tigre an invading forces in our Kebele. My father buried on Sunday, my uncle on Saturday, my cousin on Thursday. Our family was 6 in number, now it’s only me and my mother. I have lost my job and living with my mother and we have nothing to eat and hope. I have lost all the meaning in life. I am hurt. I have no one who can support me. All are dead. I am crying all day long. I even do not know where my father was buried. I am thinking at least to know where to have some emotional rest, if it helps. “
Methodologies of the study
Bahir Dar University in collaboration with the other universities scholars and Ethiopian Statistics Agency has conducted a research to assess the human right violation in the Amhara region during the Northern Ethiopia conflict. This was followed by development of data collection instruments. Taking the multi-dimensional nature of the incidents and human right violations, data was collected from various groups of participants. Participants such as SGVB Victims/Survivors, government officials and professionals, doctors, health professionals, eye witness 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, eye witnesses and those affected focus group discussion, and observation. Ethical issues were adhered in the course of data collection. Before data collection the consent of the respondents were 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.