Human Rights Watch urges Tigray authorities to withdraw 'authoritarian' security legislation
via The Reporter Ethiopia2 min read
Human Rights Watch HRW has called on Tigray regional authorities to retract a new security and mobilization proclamation, which critics describe as a "blueprint for authoritarianism." The legislation, introduced by the Tigray People鈥檚 Liberation Front TPLF after ousting the federally appointed interim administration in May 2026, reportedly forces civilians into military service and threatens dissenters with execution. HRW states that the TPLF is rebuilding its military due to disputes with the federal government over regional funding and the implementation of the 2022 Pretoria Agreement truce, fearing a return to conflict. Authorities and Tigrayan forces are conducting door-to-door roundups, compelling former combatants and civilians, including children, into service. Security forces are also punishing families of those who evade conscription, leading residents to flee Tigray. The law criminalizes service evasion with prison sentences up to 25 years for criticizing recruitment and introduces the death penalty for offenses like "threatening the peace" or "collaborating with the enemy." Laetitia Bader, HRW鈥檚 deputy Africa director, urged leaders to cease forced conscription, emphasizing Tigray's recovery from a two-year conflict. HRW also appealed to international stakeholders, including the African Union and the US, to pressure the TPLF to halt recruitment and for the AU monitoring mechanism to investigate these actions to prevent renewed hostilities in Ethiopia.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Reporter Ethiopia.
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