UN Rights Body Urged to Expand Ethiopia Probes

The Urgent Need for Extended Investigations into Rights Violations in Ethiopia

Overview

The recent report by the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) has shed light on the widespread atrocities and human rights violations that have taken place during the armed conflict in northern Ethiopia. The report documented mass killings of Tigrayan civilians, sexual violence against Tigrayan women and girls, starvation, forced displacement, and arbitrary detention. It also emphasized that the conflict and violations in Tigray have not ended, with abuses occurring on a national scale, including in the regions of Amhara and Oromia.

The Failure of Accountability

The ICHREE report unequivocally states that all warring parties, including Tigrayan forces, have committed war crimes, and that federal government forces and their allies, including Eritrean forces, have committed crimes against humanity. It further highlights the Ethiopian government’s failure to effectively investigate these violations, emphasizing that the government’s domestic process has merely served to evade international scrutiny and accountability. The prevailing norm in Ethiopia remains one of impunity instead of accountability for past violations.

Victim Calls for Justice

Victims and their families throughout Ethiopia have consistently called for genuine investigations, justice, and redress. However, they have lost faith in the country’s institutions to deliver on these demands. It is imperative that their calls for justice are not abandoned, and that efforts to address the situation in Ethiopia remain on the agenda of the UN Human Rights Council.

The Role of the European Union

It is essential that the European Union, which initiated the establishment of ICHREE in 2021, takes a leading role in preserving international scrutiny and investigations into the rights crisis in Ethiopia. Victims and rights advocates have urged the EU to renew the mandate for the investigation. However, with only one week remaining to present draft resolutions at the Human Rights Council, there are concerns that the EU has not indicated any plans to present follow-up text.

The Path to Accountability

Renewing the Mandate

The UN Human Rights Council should heed the recommendation of ICHREE to extend the investigation’s mandate. By doing so, the Council can ensure that there continues to be international scrutiny and investigations into the ongoing violations in Ethiopia. Renewing the mandate is crucial to hold all parties accountable for their actions and prevent further human rights abuses.

The Responsibility of the European Union

The EU has a moral obligation to promote human rights and accountability in Ethiopia. It must commit to a resolution that not only extends the investigations into violations but also emphasizes the implementation of ICHREE’s recommendations. The EU should actively seek public reporting to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Ethiopia and provide updates on the progress made in addressing the violations.

Risk of Renouncing Commitments

The failure of the European Union to take a proactive stance on extending the investigations and promoting accountability in Ethiopia would be tantamount to renouncing its own commitments to human rights. It is crucial for the EU to uphold its leadership role in addressing human rights crises and use its influence to push for meaningful change and justice in Ethiopia.

Conclusion

The findings of the ICHREE report demand urgent action from the international community. The violations and atrocities committed in Ethiopia, both during the armed conflict and in other regions, must not go unchecked. The victims deserve justice, accountability, and redress. The UN Human Rights Council should extend the mandate of the investigation, and the European Union should play a pivotal role in leading this effort. Failure to act would not only perpetuate the suffering of the Ethiopian people but also undermine the importance of international human rights mechanisms and commitments.

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