By CISA
KÖNIGSTEIN, JULY 30, 2024 (CISA) – Rt Rev Tesfaselassie Medhin, Bishop of the Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat has shared harrowing accounts of human rights abuses from the 2020 to 2022 conflict in Ethiopia’s Northern Tigray region with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
In a recent visit to ACN’s headquarters in Königstein, Germany, the bishop detailed the extensive sexual violence against women and girls, and the ongoing challenges faced by his diocese, including continued occupation and insecure roads.
“During the war, we were completely cut off. The Internet and telephones didn’t work, and we could hardly leave our house, because there were armed groups everywhere,” recounted Bishop Medhin, describing the “real nightmare” of not knowing what was happening to the faithful in his diocese for those two years.
Bishop Medhin condemned the conflict as a genocidal act against the Tigray people, recounting horrific acts of gang rapes, murders, and blockades of relief supplies. He estimated over one million deaths and highlighted the severe psychological and material damage inflicted, with the Church alone suffering around $40 million in losses. The bishop also noted the high risk of suicide among rape victims who face immense stigma and trauma.
“The people in Tigray have experienced hell. There were gang rapes and murders in front of families; even children and old women were among the victims. Over one million people were killed. Torture and massacres took place. Relief supplies were blocked,” said the bishop, whose diocese encompasses the whole war-torn region of Tigray.
Bishop Medhin expressed deep concern over the ongoing impact of these atrocities, particularly the psychological scars left on survivors.
In September 2022, the United Nations International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia was already speaking of a “catastrophic humanitarian situation in Tigray.” In June 2022, the World Health Organization said there were over 2.8 million displaced people.
Despite the war coming to an end, the situation in Tigray remains precarious. A third of the diocese is still under occupation, and essential services such as education are severely disrupted. Schools remain closed, and over 50,000 displaced individuals are stranded in Adigrat, unable to return home. The bishop criticized the lack of international response to the ongoing crisis, questioning how the world can remain passive in the face of such suffering.
Bishop Medhin praised the dedication of his fellow clergy, who remained in Tigray and continued to serve despite the dangers. He also acknowledged the support of ACN, which has been crucial for ongoing trauma-healing projects. The diocese’s efforts include Bible-based programs designed to aid psychological recovery and integrating faith with healing.
Looking forward, Bishop Medhin emphasized the continued need for support from ACN and other organizations to address both the physical and spiritual wounds inflicted by the conflict. He urged that every bit of assistance is invaluable as Tigray slowly moves towards recovery, though peace remains elusive in some areas.
Tigray, located in northern Ethiopia and bordering Eritrea and Sudan, is predominantly Christian, with the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church representing about 95% of the population.
