An Eritrean refugee, a father of three, was shot dead on Sunday, 28 December, 2025, at Alemwach Refugee Camp in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. Since its opening in 2021, the camp has been plagued by persistent violence, and many refugees have been killed. This latest killing underscores the grave and long-standing failure to ensure security and humanitarian protection at the camp, where almost all residents are Eritrean refugees who fled persecution in their home country in search of safety.
This fatal killing is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting refugees at Alemwach, where residents have repeatedly reported armed attacks, robberies, kidnappings, and killings. Refugees continue to live in constant fear, with little to no effective protection, despite repeated warnings and appeals to authorities and humanitarian agencies.
According to information received from refugees inside the camp, the victim has been identified as Yibrah Assefaw, an Eritrean refugee and teacher, approximately 48 years old. He was shot dead at around 20:40 p.m. local time by unidentified armed men inside the camp. Fellow refugees rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries.
Witnesses reported that the attackers also threatened another refugee at gunpoint and stole cash and mobile phones before fleeing. Refugees further stated that after the gunshots, additional armed individuals arrived at the scene and dispersed the gathered refugees, intensifying fear and chaos within the camp.
Elizabeth Chyrum, Director, Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE) stated: “A refugee camp should never become a killing field. The death of an Eritrean father of three at Alemwach exposes the severe breakdown of security and protection for Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia. The ongoing violence, lack of food, and shortage of medical care are not isolated problems; they are the result of sustained neglect that must be urgently addressed.”
Systemic Security and Protection Failures
The camp, which hosts thousands of Eritrean refugees, many of whom escaped indefinite forced national service, arbitrary detention, and severe human rights abuses is increasingly unsafe. Armed individuals reportedly enter the camp with ease, while security presence remains inadequate or ineffective. Attacks frequently occur at night, with no timely response from responsible authorities. Families, women, children, and other vulnerable groups are left exposed to violence and intimidation.
Severe Humanitarian Conditions
Alongside the worsening security situation, refugees at Alemwach face:
- Insufficient and irregular food supplies, resulting in hunger and malnutrition;
- Critical shortages of medicines and medical care, including for chronic and life-threatening conditions;
- Lack of adequate shelter, sanitation, and clean water;
- No effective protection mechanisms, especially for women, children, and the elderly.
These conditions violate basic humanitarian standards and place already traumatised refugees at grave risk of further harm.
Failure of the Duty to Protect Refugees
The Ethiopian authorities, together with the office of the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS), have a legal and moral obligation to ensure the safety and dignity of refugees. The recent killing represents a serious failure of that duty.
Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE) urgently calls on:
- Ethiopian authorities to immediately secure Alemwach Refugee Camp and prevent armed access;
- UNHCR and humanitarian partners to urgently scale up food, medical, and protection services;
- Independent human rights bodies to conduct a transparent investigation into this killing and previous attacks;
- The international community to take immediate diplomatic and humanitarian action to prevent further loss of life.
No refugee should be murdered while under international protection. The death of this father of three is not an isolated incident, it is a tragic consequence of ongoing neglect, insecurity, and impunity.
Without immediate and decisive action, more Eritrean refugee lives will be lost.
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Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE)
