Hundreds of Ethiopian migrants attempting to cross into Saudi Arabia from Yemen have been killed by Saudi border guards, according to a report released on Monday by Human Rights Watch (HRW). These allegations, which the Saudi government describes as “unfounded,” highlight a significant increase in abuses along the dangerous route from the Horn of Africa to Saudi Arabia, where hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians live and work.
The report includes an interview with a 20-year-old woman from Ethiopia’s Oromia region, who stated that Saudi border guards opened fire on a group of migrants after releasing them from custody. “They fired on us like rain. When I remember, I cry,” she said. Another survivor witnessed a fellow migrant calling for help after losing both legs. The Saudi border guards did not provide assistance, and the migrant pleaded, “Are you leaving me here? Please don’t leave me.” The witness, along with others, was forced to run for their lives.
HRW researcher Nadia Hardman accused Saudi officials of committing “horrendous crimes” against migrants and asylum seekers, which they carry out in remote border areas away from international scrutiny. While the Saudi government dismisses these allegations as unreliable, HRW has been documenting abuses against Ethiopian migrants in both Saudi Arabia and Yemen for nearly a decade. However, the latest killings are believed to be “widespread and systematic,” potentially amounting to crimes against humanity.
In the first four months of 2022, United Nations experts reported similar concerns, stating that Saudi Arabian security forces, through cross-border artillery shelling and small-arms fire, caused the deaths of approximately 430 migrants in southern Saudi Arabia and northern Yemen. Following this, a repatriation agreement between Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia was enacted, resulting in the repatriation of around 100,000 Ethiopians within several months.
The HRW report also sheds light on the collusion between Huthi rebels, who control northern Yemen, and people smugglers. Migrants have alleged that Huthi forces extort them and subject them to abuse in detention centers until they can pay an “exit fee.” The Huthis, however, deny working with people smugglers, categorizing them as “criminals.”
Since 2015, Saudi officials have been involved in a military coalition to counter the Iran-backed Huthis, who seized control of the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, the previous year. The ongoing conflict in Yemen has led to one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions of people depending on aid.
The HRW report draws from interviews with 38 Ethiopian migrants who attempted to cross into Saudi Arabia from Yemen. Additionally, satellite imagery, social media posts, videos, and photographs were analyzed. The report documents 28 incidents involving explosive weapons, including mortar attacks by Saudi border guards.
Survivors described close-range attacks, with border guards reportedly asking migrants which limb they would prefer to be shot. The scenes described by interviewees were horrific, depicting severe injuries, dismemberment, and death across the mountainous landscape.
In response to these grave allegations, HRW has called upon Riyadh to cease using lethal force against migrants and asylum seekers. Furthermore, they urge the United Nations to initiate an investigation into the alleged killings.
The troubling revelations in the HRW report ensure that the plight of Ethiopian migrants attempting to reach Saudi Arabia receives increased international attention. Addressing these atrocities is crucial to providing justice for those affected and preventing further loss of life along this perilous migration route.
Image Credit: AFP
