Addis ababa: A damning new report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) has unveiled a harrowing reality: over the span of recent years, hundreds of Ethiopian migrants have lost their lives at the hands of Saudi border guards.
The report, aptly titled "'They Just Open Fire': Saudi Border Guards Kill Ethiopian Migrants," meticulously documents a pattern of lethal force utilized systematically against Ethiopian migrants endeavoring to cross the Saudi border.
HRW's extensive investigation included interviews with numerous Ethiopian migrants who had either witnessed or survived shootings by Saudi border guards.
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The chilling testimonies recounted a distressing narrative of guards opening fire on migrant groups, frequently devoid of warning, leaving scores dead or injured in their wake.
In addition to the deadly shootings, the report cataloged instances of torture and abuse perpetrated by Saudi border guards against Ethiopian migrants.
A heart-wrenching account narrated the brutal beating of a migrant who had his teeth knocked out after being apprehended during an attempt to cross the border.
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The report unequivocally demands that the Saudi government conduct thorough investigations into these incidents of killings and abuses, holding those responsible accountable. HRW further calls upon the government to enhance the living conditions for Ethiopian migrants within the kingdom and establish secure and lawful pathways for their entry.
This exposé marks a continuation of a disheartening pattern of reports from HRW and other human rights organizations highlighting the maltreatment of migrants by Saudi border guards.
As early as 2019, HRW had issued a report underscoring the fatalities of Ethiopian migrants at the hands of the very guards tasked with border protection.
Despite the Saudi government's denial of these allegations and its pledge to uphold migrant rights, these recurring reports paint a contrasting picture.
Accountability for the actions of border guards remains elusive, and the repeated violations underscore the urgency of meaningful reform.
The alarming revelation that hundreds of Ethiopian migrants have fallen victim to Saudi border guards' actions underscores a severe violation of human rights.
The Saudi government stands at a crossroads, urgently requiring comprehensive measures to address the reported killings and abuses, and to prevent future occurrences. The well-being and rights of migrants are at stake, demanding immediate action.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the timeline of these incidents spans from 2017 to 2022, predominantly impacting young men and women. The remote locales of the incidents, bereft of witnesses, exacerbate the challenge of accountability.
The Saudi government's denial of these allegations, without offering substantial evidence, deepens concerns about transparency and responsibility.
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The HRW report serves as an unsettling reminder of the perils migrants face while striving to cross Saudi Arabia's borders. The imperative for Saudi authorities to ensure migrant rights, halt further atrocities, and establish a safe environment for migration is not just a call for accountability, but a fundamental duty in safeguarding human dignity and basic rights.