Amnesty International has sounded a fresh alarm over a series of deepening human rights concerns in Ethiopia, pointing to mass displacements tied to urban development, growing restrictions on civil society, and a transitional justice process that remains largely frozen years after it was first announced.
The findings appear in the organization’s annual flagship publication, The State of the World’s Human Rights, which surveys conditions across more than 150 countries. The report, covering events throughout 2025 and into 2026, paints a troubling picture of governance and accountability gaps in several parts of Ethiopia.
Thousands Displaced With Little Warning
Among the most prominent concerns is the displacement of large numbers of residents linked to the Ethiopian government’s Corridor Development Project, an ambitious urban renewal initiative intended to modernize key thoroughfares in the capital, Addis Ababa, and other cities. According to Amnesty, many households were given as little as 72 hours’ notice before being forced to vacate their homes, often without adequate consultation, compensation, or alternative housing arrangements.
Authorities have since acknowledged some of the public backlash and announced a temporary pause to the project in certain parts of Addis Ababa, with officials pledging to improve dialogue with affected communities. Critics, however, say the assurances have not been followed by concrete action on the ground.
Journalists Arrested, Civil Society Under Pressure
Beyond displacement, Amnesty flagged a pattern of shrinking civic space. The report documents the arrest and harassment of journalists and activists, alongside proposed legislative amendments to civil society regulations that the organization says could curtail foreign funding and significantly expand the government’s oversight of independent groups, developments that have raised red flags around freedom of association and press freedom.
In a particularly striking detail, Amnesty noted that more than 140 healthcare workers were arrested during nationwide labor strikes over wages and working conditions, with some held in detention for several weeks.
Conflict Zones and Gender-Based Violence
In the conflict-affected regions of Amhara and Oromia, the report indicates that human rights violations are ongoing. Women and girls in these areas, and in other parts of the country, continue to face gender-based violence and sexual abuse linked to armed conflict, with survivors reporting limited access to justice and support services.
Transitional Justice: A Process Still on Hold
Perhaps one of the most pressing issues raised is the near-complete stagnation of Ethiopia’s transitional justice process. Despite the devastating toll of the Tigray conflict, which officially ended with a peace agreement in late 2022, Amnesty says no meaningful steps toward accountability for serious crimes committed during that period have been taken, nearly three years after the process was first announced. The report describes the delay as a significant failure to deliver justice to victims and affected communities.
Eritrean Refugees at Risk
The report also raises serious concerns about the treatment of Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia. Amnesty documented the forced return of at least 600 Eritrean refugees, exposing them to potential detention and abuse upon their arrival in Eritrea, a country with one of the most restrictive human rights records in the world.
Government’s Position
The Ethiopian government has maintained that its development projects are designed to modernize urban infrastructure and raise living standards for citizens. On the broader reform front, officials have pointed to ongoing national dialogue efforts and indicated that transitional justice measures are being planned following the completion of an agenda-setting phase by the National Dialogue Commission.
A Broader African Context
Amnesty’s Africa overview, which frames Ethiopia’s situation within a wider regional picture, notes that the African Union’s 2014 target to end hunger and food insecurity by 2025 was not achieved. It also highlights a continental trend of governments treating civic protests as security threats, while climate-related disasters and armed conflicts continue to displace millions of people across the region.
Sources: The Reporter Ethiopia (thereporterethiopia.com) and Streamline Feed Kenya (streamlinefeed.co.ke)
