1/n
#TheAgonies: #TigrayWarRapeVictims
THREAD: Western Tigray
Another day, another agony, a devastating story shared by a young #Tigrayan woman from a refugee camp in Sudan.
As I write her testimony, my heart is beating faster and and faster ...
@LaetitiaBader @jbgallopin
#TheAgonies: #TigrayWarRapeVictims
THREAD: Western Tigray
Another day, another agony, a devastating story shared by a young #Tigrayan woman from a refugee camp in Sudan.
As I write her testimony, my heart is beating faster and and faster ...
@LaetitiaBader @jbgallopin
2/n
Few days ago, I wrote a lengthy thread about Christine, a teenager who was gang-raped by the Amhara Special Forces inside the compound of St Gabriel Orthodox Church at Humera town, Western Tigray.
Today, I write the story of Paula, another #Tigrayan woman.
@AnnLinde
Few days ago, I wrote a lengthy thread about Christine, a teenager who was gang-raped by the Amhara Special Forces inside the compound of St Gabriel Orthodox Church at Humera town, Western Tigray.
Today, I write the story of Paula, another #Tigrayan woman.
@AnnLinde
3/n
Paula is originally from the town of Shire Endasilasie. She has witnessed the shelling of her hometown by the joint invading forces of @AbiyAhmedAli in November. She was there as the artillery shells were flying over her house and landing on households in the town.
@USAmbUN
Paula is originally from the town of Shire Endasilasie. She has witnessed the shelling of her hometown by the joint invading forces of @AbiyAhmedAli in November. She was there as the artillery shells were flying over her house and landing on households in the town.
@USAmbUN
4/n
Horrified by the indiscriminate shelling, she and her family fled to another nearby town. After a month, they returned back home and found out that the town was overwhelmed by the Ethiopian and Eritrean troops. There was no medical help, no bank service, nothing at all. @hrw
Horrified by the indiscriminate shelling, she and her family fled to another nearby town. After a month, they returned back home and found out that the town was overwhelmed by the Ethiopian and Eritrean troops. There was no medical help, no bank service, nothing at all. @hrw
5/n
She has a one-year-old baby & had a medical appointment at Ayder Referral Hospital for the baby. Unfortunately, it was absolutely impossible to travel to Mekelle due to the barbaric actions of the pro-@AbiyAhmedAli forces on civilian transportation & innocent civilians.
She has a one-year-old baby & had a medical appointment at Ayder Referral Hospital for the baby. Unfortunately, it was absolutely impossible to travel to Mekelle due to the barbaric actions of the pro-@AbiyAhmedAli forces on civilian transportation & innocent civilians.
6/n
She decided to flee to Sudan for two reasons: 1) mainly to search for a medical help to her baby, 2) to escape from the unspeakable savageries of the invading forces of Ethiopia & Eritrea.
@amnesty @mbachelet @UNHumanRights @DrTedros @UNICEF @unicefchief @MSF @ICRC
She decided to flee to Sudan for two reasons: 1) mainly to search for a medical help to her baby, 2) to escape from the unspeakable savageries of the invading forces of Ethiopia & Eritrea.
@amnesty @mbachelet @UNHumanRights @DrTedros @UNICEF @unicefchief @MSF @ICRC
7/n
However, she had no money at hand except 50 ETB. The bank account of every #Tigrayan has been frozen by the fascist & genocidal @AbiyAhmedAli and hence she could not be able to withdraw cash from her bank account. Regardless, she left Shire to Sudan.
@AmnestyEARO
However, she had no money at hand except 50 ETB. The bank account of every #Tigrayan has been frozen by the fascist & genocidal @AbiyAhmedAli and hence she could not be able to withdraw cash from her bank account. Regardless, she left Shire to Sudan.
@AmnestyEARO
8/n
She had never traveled to Western Tigray. But, that could not discourage her either. All she wished was a medical help for her only baby and she was all on her own, no one was with her.
She had never traveled to Western Tigray. But, that could not discourage her either. All she wished was a medical help for her only baby and she was all on her own, no one was with her.
9/n
Luckily, a driver of a public transportation accepted her plead when she told him that she had only 50 ETB. She arrived at Sheraro on the same day. She spent the night at a good Samaritan's house.
Luckily, a driver of a public transportation accepted her plead when she told him that she had only 50 ETB. She arrived at Sheraro on the same day. She spent the night at a good Samaritan's house.
10/n
She observed the town was in an absolute destruction - the banks, the hotels, the shops, the pharmacies etc everything was vandalised - by the joint invading forces [mainly by the Eritrean troops].
She observed the town was in an absolute destruction - the banks, the hotels, the shops, the pharmacies etc everything was vandalised - by the joint invading forces [mainly by the Eritrean troops].
11/n
On the next day, she started the arduous trek to Western Tigray. No one was with her, she had no food, she had no water - what a sacrifice! Such a bitter price a mom pays for the sake of her baby, what a motherhood!
On the next day, she started the arduous trek to Western Tigray. No one was with her, she had no food, she had no water - what a sacrifice! Such a bitter price a mom pays for the sake of her baby, what a motherhood!
12/n
Imagine being a woman & walking across a highway where there are no civilians except the invading forces of Eritrea! How do you feel to be in such an environment? A young woman carrying her baby on her back & walking through such an imminent danger, for the sake of her baby!
Imagine being a woman & walking across a highway where there are no civilians except the invading forces of Eritrea! How do you feel to be in such an environment? A young woman carrying her baby on her back & walking through such an imminent danger, for the sake of her baby!
13/n
She saw three Eritrean soldiers driving a herd of cattle [looted from farmers across North Western Tigray] to Eritrea. She was very much terrified and decided to distance herself away from the barbaric soldiers. She was lucky that they did not see her. @RepMcCaul @EUSR_Weber
She saw three Eritrean soldiers driving a herd of cattle [looted from farmers across North Western Tigray] to Eritrea. She was very much terrified and decided to distance herself away from the barbaric soldiers. She was lucky that they did not see her. @RepMcCaul @EUSR_Weber
14/n
The sun was getting strong and it was almost impossible for a malnourished woman who was carrying a baby to tolerate the intense heat and keep walking. So, she had to find a tree in the midst of the desert where she would take rest.
The sun was getting strong and it was almost impossible for a malnourished woman who was carrying a baby to tolerate the intense heat and keep walking. So, she had to find a tree in the midst of the desert where she would take rest.
15/n
Let me reiterate that she had no food, no water, no cash, nothing at all. She sat under the tree for many hours before a good Samaritan asked her where she was heading to. She told him that she was walking to Humera.
Let me reiterate that she had no food, no water, no cash, nothing at all. She sat under the tree for many hours before a good Samaritan asked her where she was heading to. She told him that she was walking to Humera.
16/n
He found her a motorbike that was heading towards the Tekeze Bridge which was heavily guarded by both the Eritrean troops and the Amhara Special Forces. The #Tigrayan, who was the owner of the motorbike didn't charge her because he was touched by her situation.
He found her a motorbike that was heading towards the Tekeze Bridge which was heavily guarded by both the Eritrean troops and the Amhara Special Forces. The #Tigrayan, who was the owner of the motorbike didn't charge her because he was touched by her situation.
17/n
On the banks of the Tekeze River, she met a crowd of #Tigrayans heading towards Humera. As they got closer to the bridge, the Eritrean troops stopped them and asked for ID cards. Everyone was checked and thoroughly searched, too.
On the banks of the Tekeze River, she met a crowd of #Tigrayans heading towards Humera. As they got closer to the bridge, the Eritrean troops stopped them and asked for ID cards. Everyone was checked and thoroughly searched, too.
18/n
The Eritreans made fun of the #Tigrayans, "You should taste the sufferings now; it is your fault to have betrayed @AbiyAhmedAli. Why did not you elect Abiy but Debretsion?" And then they let them cross the bridge towards Humera. @antonioguterres @SecBlinken @RepGregoryMeeks
The Eritreans made fun of the #Tigrayans, "You should taste the sufferings now; it is your fault to have betrayed @AbiyAhmedAli. Why did not you elect Abiy but Debretsion?" And then they let them cross the bridge towards Humera. @antonioguterres @SecBlinken @RepGregoryMeeks
19/n
Unfortunately, the Amhara Special Forces were waiting for them on the opposite side of the Tekeze River. Paula said, "There was a checkpoint just next to the bridge. The Amhara Special Forces told us to stop in front of the checkpoint and asked where we were heading to?"
Unfortunately, the Amhara Special Forces were waiting for them on the opposite side of the Tekeze River. Paula said, "There was a checkpoint just next to the bridge. The Amhara Special Forces told us to stop in front of the checkpoint and asked where we were heading to?"
20/n
She added, "The women were saying that they were searching for their children who disappeared following the heavy shelling and bombardments. Some of the men replied that they are originally from Welkait and were heading to their homeland."
She added, "The women were saying that they were searching for their children who disappeared following the heavy shelling and bombardments. Some of the men replied that they are originally from Welkait and were heading to their homeland."
21/n
"And I replied that I was heading to Sudan for a medical help to my only baby." The Amhara Special Forces pushed everyone back but me. One elderly woman was crying, 'please, let me pass I am looking for my child' ..."
"And I replied that I was heading to Sudan for a medical help to my only baby." The Amhara Special Forces pushed everyone back but me. One elderly woman was crying, 'please, let me pass I am looking for my child' ..."
22/n
"... But, the Amhara Special Forces replied, 'you #Tigrayans are trash. You do not deserve to be in our land. You are dishonourable; you are fleas. Your dirty child could not be in our land. You better go back.' She was crying & crying; but, was forced back along the crowd."
"... But, the Amhara Special Forces replied, 'you #Tigrayans are trash. You do not deserve to be in our land. You are dishonourable; you are fleas. Your dirty child could not be in our land. You better go back.' She was crying & crying; but, was forced back along the crowd."
23/n
When they Amhara Special Forces checked my ID card, they asked me about my identity. I replied that I am a Tigrayan. But they told me that I am theirs because "your name & father's name sounds an Amhara name."
@mukeshkapila @DavidAltonHL @wdavison10
When they Amhara Special Forces checked my ID card, they asked me about my identity. I replied that I am a Tigrayan. But they told me that I am theirs because "your name & father's name sounds an Amhara name."
@mukeshkapila @DavidAltonHL @wdavison10
24/n
"So, we'll make sure that you are clean of any #Tigrayan blood." Paula added, "I was very much terrified because they kept me with them while they turned back the other #Tigrayans. Hence, I told them that I'm not an Amhara but a Tigrayan & begged them to turn me back, too."
"So, we'll make sure that you are clean of any #Tigrayan blood." Paula added, "I was very much terrified because they kept me with them while they turned back the other #Tigrayans. Hence, I told them that I'm not an Amhara but a Tigrayan & begged them to turn me back, too."
25/n
"... unfortunately, they declined my request. They commanded me to sit down nearby the checkpoint. There was a Tigrinya speaking Amhara Special Force. His accent sounded like an Eritrean but had a uniform that belongs to the Amhara Special Forces."
"... unfortunately, they declined my request. They commanded me to sit down nearby the checkpoint. There was a Tigrinya speaking Amhara Special Force. His accent sounded like an Eritrean but had a uniform that belongs to the Amhara Special Forces."
26/n
"He was the one who was speaking to me in Tigrinya. And then he was telling the Amhara Special Forces that I am theirs though I explained to them very clearly that I am a #Tigrayan."
"He was the one who was speaking to me in Tigrinya. And then he was telling the Amhara Special Forces that I am theirs though I explained to them very clearly that I am a #Tigrayan."
27/n
"They ordered me to enter a nearby house that belonged to an Amharic speaking woman who was selling soft & alcoholic drinks. Her house had two rooms. She took my baby to the other room as four of them started interrogating me."
"They ordered me to enter a nearby house that belonged to an Amharic speaking woman who was selling soft & alcoholic drinks. Her house had two rooms. She took my baby to the other room as four of them started interrogating me."
28/n
"The Eritrean who had the Amhara Special Forces uniform spoke to me that I should obey what the Amhara Special Forces commander had to tell me. If I fail to respect the commander's words, the Eritrean warned me, it would be risky for me and my family."
"The Eritrean who had the Amhara Special Forces uniform spoke to me that I should obey what the Amhara Special Forces commander had to tell me. If I fail to respect the commander's words, the Eritrean warned me, it would be risky for me and my family."
29/n
"The Eritrean dragged & threw me to a bed in the room. I was weeping. Then, the Eritrean left the room but the other 3 Amhara Special Forces stayed inside. The commander got closer to me pointing his Kalashnikov on my head..."
"The Eritrean dragged & threw me to a bed in the room. I was weeping. Then, the Eritrean left the room but the other 3 Amhara Special Forces stayed inside. The commander got closer to me pointing his Kalashnikov on my head..."
30/n
"He started interrogating me. He grabbed my smartphone and ordered me to tell him the contact numbers of all of my family. He took note and then put the phone in his pocket. Then, he warned me not to scream nor to utter a single word to anyone later on."
"He started interrogating me. He grabbed my smartphone and ordered me to tell him the contact numbers of all of my family. He took note and then put the phone in his pocket. Then, he warned me not to scream nor to utter a single word to anyone later on."
31/n
"He started speaking uncountable number of dirty words & ethnic slurs against the Tigrayans. He told me that I belong to them; my womb belongs to them, to the Amhara. He said, 'we have to cleanse your womb of the #Tigrayan blood' ..." @HelenClarkNZ @SenatorMenendez
"He started speaking uncountable number of dirty words & ethnic slurs against the Tigrayans. He told me that I belong to them; my womb belongs to them, to the Amhara. He said, 'we have to cleanse your womb of the #Tigrayan blood' ..." @HelenClarkNZ @SenatorMenendez
32/n
"... 'Do not scream; otherwise, I will crush your head with this gun.' Then, I put my hands on my mouth to make sure that my cries do not come out of my mouth; otherwise, he would kill me."
"... 'Do not scream; otherwise, I will crush your head with this gun.' Then, I put my hands on my mouth to make sure that my cries do not come out of my mouth; otherwise, he would kill me."
33/n
"He started raping me while two of his colleagues were standing in the room, holding their guns. He left the room. Then the 2nd Amhara Special Force approached and started speaking ill of the #Tigrayans."
@SamanthaJPower @SofiaCalltorp @helenhayes_ @nimaelbagir
"He started raping me while two of his colleagues were standing in the room, holding their guns. He left the room. Then the 2nd Amhara Special Force approached and started speaking ill of the #Tigrayans."
@SamanthaJPower @SofiaCalltorp @helenhayes_ @nimaelbagir
34/n
"He told me that the #Tigrayan identity must be eliminated. Any trace/mark of the #Tigrayan identity must be removed from my womb and that has to be done with the rape. My womb should produce an Amhara baby not a #Tigrayan one like my one-year-old baby." @mukeshkapila
"He told me that the #Tigrayan identity must be eliminated. Any trace/mark of the #Tigrayan identity must be removed from my womb and that has to be done with the rape. My womb should produce an Amhara baby not a #Tigrayan one like my one-year-old baby." @mukeshkapila
35/n
"When the 2nd Amhara Special Force was done raping me, then the 3rd one approached & did likewise. He repeated all the dirty words & deeds the other two had said & done. The ordeal started at 10 pm and continued until 2 Am. This was in December" @vonderleyen @JosepBorrellF
"When the 2nd Amhara Special Force was done raping me, then the 3rd one approached & did likewise. He repeated all the dirty words & deeds the other two had said & done. The ordeal started at 10 pm and continued until 2 Am. This was in December" @vonderleyen @JosepBorrellF
36/n
Paula added, "Towards the end, I lost my consciousness b/se of the torture & gang-rape. It had taken me hours before I regained my consciousness. When I tried to wake up, I could not; my back was extremely injured. It was only my neck and head that I could move."@BBCNewshour
Paula added, "Towards the end, I lost my consciousness b/se of the torture & gang-rape. It had taken me hours before I regained my consciousness. When I tried to wake up, I could not; my back was extremely injured. It was only my neck and head that I could move."@BBCNewshour
37/n
"The rest of my body felt like it's paralysed. I wasn't able to move it. It took me many more hours until I struggled to regain my energy & stand up. When I asked the Amharic speaking woman about what happened to me, she replied 'nothing happened, you slept very well.'"@hrw
"The rest of my body felt like it's paralysed. I wasn't able to move it. It took me many more hours until I struggled to regain my energy & stand up. When I asked the Amharic speaking woman about what happened to me, she replied 'nothing happened, you slept very well.'"@hrw
38/n
Then, Paula asked the woman to give her baby back. But, the woman threw the baby angrily. Paula suspects that the woman tried to inflict a long lasting injury on the baby. I asked Paula why she thought so? @UNFPA @UN_HRC @UN_Women
Then, Paula asked the woman to give her baby back. But, the woman threw the baby angrily. Paula suspects that the woman tried to inflict a long lasting injury on the baby. I asked Paula why she thought so? @UNFPA @UN_HRC @UN_Women
39/n
She replied, "The woman was glad by what the Amhara Special Forces did to me and she didn't want my baby, who is an ethnic Tigrayan, to grow; she hoped I would be pregnant of an Amhara baby and would give birth to an Amhara baby."
She replied, "The woman was glad by what the Amhara Special Forces did to me and she didn't want my baby, who is an ethnic Tigrayan, to grow; she hoped I would be pregnant of an Amhara baby and would give birth to an Amhara baby."
40/n
As Paula was telling me her story on the phone, she was crying and crying. I have to be honest here; I could not control my emotions and had to weep with her, too. I was struggling with myself.
As Paula was telling me her story on the phone, she was crying and crying. I have to be honest here; I could not control my emotions and had to weep with her, too. I was struggling with myself.
41/n
She was lucky to find a vehicle that was heading to Humera. Little did she know that speaking in #Tigrinya would cost her life at Humera. When she asked a man to tell her the way to Sudan, he was shocked that she spoke to him in Tigrinya. He was a #Tigrayan.
She was lucky to find a vehicle that was heading to Humera. Little did she know that speaking in #Tigrinya would cost her life at Humera. When she asked a man to tell her the way to Sudan, he was shocked that she spoke to him in Tigrinya. He was a #Tigrayan.
42/n
He was very kind and calmly explained everything to her about what to do what not to do as long as she was in Humera. He told her which way to follow to Sudan.
He was very kind and calmly explained everything to her about what to do what not to do as long as she was in Humera. He told her which way to follow to Sudan.
43/n
As she was heading to Sudan, she would see Ethiopian, Eritrean and Amhara forces along the way. She would immediately hide under the bushes b/se she has the trauma of the gang-rape and that she was afraid they would gang-rape her again.
As she was heading to Sudan, she would see Ethiopian, Eritrean and Amhara forces along the way. She would immediately hide under the bushes b/se she has the trauma of the gang-rape and that she was afraid they would gang-rape her again.
44/n
Long story short, she arrived at a make shift camp in Hamdayet and finally she was transferred to one of the other refugee camps. I asked her if she got medical help. Painfully, she replied NO. I was devastated and asked her why? Her response is even more heart-wrenching.
Long story short, she arrived at a make shift camp in Hamdayet and finally she was transferred to one of the other refugee camps. I asked her if she got medical help. Painfully, she replied NO. I was devastated and asked her why? Her response is even more heart-wrenching.
45/n
She told me that if she visited a health centre at the refugee camp, her story would finally be revealed and it would go viral and the Amhara Special Forces who took the contact numbers of her family and gang-raped her would kill her family.
She told me that if she visited a health centre at the refugee camp, her story would finally be revealed and it would go viral and the Amhara Special Forces who took the contact numbers of her family and gang-raped her would kill her family.
46/n
I challenged her that the Amhara Special Forces have been in Western Tigray and why would she be afraid of any harm being inflicted on her family. She replied, "The Amhara Special Forces warned me that the military commanders in Shire were their friends ..."
I challenged her that the Amhara Special Forces have been in Western Tigray and why would she be afraid of any harm being inflicted on her family. She replied, "The Amhara Special Forces warned me that the military commanders in Shire were their friends ..."
47/n
" ... & they vowed they would tell them to go after my family if I tell my story to anyone including health professionals. So I chose to keep it to myself & decided not to seek medical help even at the clinic in the refugee camp in Sudan." @DrTedros @MSF_EastAfrica
" ... & they vowed they would tell them to go after my family if I tell my story to anyone including health professionals. So I chose to keep it to myself & decided not to seek medical help even at the clinic in the refugee camp in Sudan." @DrTedros @MSF_EastAfrica
48/n
Then you might ask how I managed to know about her?
Earlier on, I said she left her home town in search of a medical help for her one-year-old baby. It is so unfortunate that she could not get a medical help for the baby at the clinics in the refugee camp. @UNICEF @MSF @ICRC
Then you might ask how I managed to know about her?
Earlier on, I said she left her home town in search of a medical help for her one-year-old baby. It is so unfortunate that she could not get a medical help for the baby at the clinics in the refugee camp. @UNICEF @MSF @ICRC
49/n
After almost a year, her baby was referred to a public hospital in Gedarif. She arrived there few days ago. Accidentally, she shared her private story to one of my contact persons at the hospital.
After almost a year, her baby was referred to a public hospital in Gedarif. She arrived there few days ago. Accidentally, she shared her private story to one of my contact persons at the hospital.
50/n
Luckily, my contact person knows that I have been involved in covering stories about the #TigrayWarRapeVictims and he informed me about her. And I asked him to get me connected with her to hear directly from her.
Luckily, my contact person knows that I have been involved in covering stories about the #TigrayWarRapeVictims and he informed me about her. And I asked him to get me connected with her to hear directly from her.
51/n
Before, I conclude my THREAD, let me plead with everyone who happens to read this painful ordeal that Paula and her baby girl need our help very much, not only financially for their medical expenses but also a psychological support.
Before, I conclude my THREAD, let me plead with everyone who happens to read this painful ordeal that Paula and her baby girl need our help very much, not only financially for their medical expenses but also a psychological support.
52/n
Paula told me that she still could not get proper medical treatment for her baby. She added, "My breasts can't produce enough milk because of my health situation and my body is damaged as a consequence of malnourishment."
Paula told me that she still could not get proper medical treatment for her baby. She added, "My breasts can't produce enough milk because of my health situation and my body is damaged as a consequence of malnourishment."
53/n
"I left my family and hometown in search of medical help for my baby; I paid a bitter sacrifice at the expense of my dignity, at the cost of my life. But, my heart is broken; I failed to get medical help for my baby. Please help me save my baby girl, please!"
"I left my family and hometown in search of medical help for my baby; I paid a bitter sacrifice at the expense of my dignity, at the cost of my life. But, my heart is broken; I failed to get medical help for my baby. Please help me save my baby girl, please!"
54/n
What a journey!
What a sacrifice!
What a motherhood!
Oh, my people; the world betrayed you!
Oh, my mothers and sisters, I feel sorry because I failed you at the hands of barbaric creatures!
Note: Paula is a name I chose to hide her true name.
END
What a journey!
What a sacrifice!
What a motherhood!
Oh, my people; the world betrayed you!
Oh, my mothers and sisters, I feel sorry because I failed you at the hands of barbaric creatures!
Note: Paula is a name I chose to hide her true name.
END
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