Catholic Irob Minority in Ethiopia's Tigray Region Faces Forced Assimilation and Arrests Under Eritrean Occupation

The Irob, a Catholic minority of approximately 50,000 people in Ethiopia's Tigray region, are facing a severe crisis due to the Eritrean military occupation of their territory since November 2020. The Irob, who are ethnically and linguistically distinct from the surrounding population, are being subjected to forced assimilation, arrests, and disappearances under the Eritrean occupation, according to an Italian press report.

The Irob region has been turned into an "open-air prison," with borders closed, separating families and preventing humanitarian aid from reaching the community. Eritrean troops are imposing the use of the Tigrinya language, issuing identification cards, and conscripting people into their forces. There are reports of arbitrary arrests, disappearances, and targeting of Catholic priests by the occupying forces.

Why this matters: The plight of the Irob minority highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Tigray region, where conflict, famine, and displacement have affected millions. The forced assimilation and human rights abuses faced by the Irob community raise concerns about the preservation of their unique cultural identity and the need for international attention and intervention.

The wider Tigray region is facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with famine, displacement, and ongoing conflict. Despite the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, Eritrean forces have not withdrawn from the Irob district, and the situation remains dire for the Irob people. The community is in danger of disappearing, as they face the threat of cultural erasure and human rights violations under the Eritrean military occupation.

An Italian press report has brought attention to the plight of the Irob, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the forced assimilation, arrests, and disappearances they are experiencing. The report underscores the need for international support and pressure to ensure the protection of the Irob minority and the withdrawal of Eritrean forces from the region. As one Irob community member stated, "We are facing an existential threat, and the world must not remain silent while our people suffer."

Key Takeaways

• Irob, a Catholic minority in Ethiopia's Tigray, face crisis due to Eritrean occupation.
• Irob region turned into "open-air prison," with forced assimilation, arrests, and disappearances.
• Wider Tigray region faces severe humanitarian crisis, with famine, displacement, and ongoing conflict.
• Irob community faces threat of cultural erasure and human rights violations under Eritrean occupation.
• Urgent need for international support and pressure to protect Irob minority and withdraw Eritrean forces.