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Tigrayan Advocacy Group in Europe Condemns Killings, Urges International Investigation
Brussels, September 2025 (Horn News Hub)- A Europe-based Tigrayan advocacy group has condemned what it says are targeted killings of young people from Ethiopia’s Tigray region, including members of the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF), and called on international bodies to launch an independent investigation into the alleged crimes.
In a detailed statement released this week, the Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice in Europe said the killings occurred in the Tembien zone of Tigray and involved the execution of captured fighters and civilians. The group named four of the victims as Hailsh Tadele Lemlem, Haftom Kiros, Gersu Haile and Woldeberhan Beyene, and said many others remain unidentified.
“These acts are not isolated incidents but part of a systematic pattern of violence aimed at terrorizing Tigray’s population,” the organization said, describing the attacks as “calculated crimes of terror.”
The group accused senior figures within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) of orchestrating the killings, alleging that the victims were targeted to suppress a new generation of Tigrayans.
Calls for International Action
The advocacy group urged the United Nations, European Union, African Union, United States and other human rights institutions to publicly condemn the killings, demand independent and impartial investigations, and pursue accountability for those responsible. It stressed that such investigations should be free from the influence of any TPLF-affiliated groups.
“Justice may be delayed, but it will not be denied,” the statement said, warning that regional and international human rights organizations are documenting alleged atrocities.
Broader Context
Tigray has been the scene of a devastating conflict that erupted in November 2020 between the federal government and the TPLF, leaving milions dead and displacing millions. Although a peace deal was signed in late 2022, sporadic violence and political tensions have persisted. Rights groups have repeatedly reported abuses committed by multiple parties during and after the conflict, including extrajudicial killings and arbitrary detentions.
The Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice in Europe, which represents members of the Tigrayan diaspora, said the latest incidents highlight ongoing insecurity in the region despite the formal cessation of hostilities.
Condolences to Families
The group expressed condolences to the families of the victims, pledging solidarity with the Tigrayan community and vowing to continue pressing for accountability. “Your pain is shared by the entire Tigrayan nation and diaspora,” the statement read.
International observers say independent verification of events in Tigray remains difficult due to restricted access to some areas and limited communication networks. Human rights organizations have repeatedly called for unfettered access to investigate reports of atrocities committed during and after the conflict.
