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Geneva – “The highly aggressive rhetoric from both sides regarding the fight for Mekelle is dangerously provocative and runs the risk of putting already vulnerable and frightened civilians in grave danger,” the High Commissioner said. “I am afraid that such rhetoric will lead to further violations of international humanitarian law,” he added, expressing alarm at reports of a large accumulation of tanks and artillery around Mekelle, the capital of Tigray province, after the government issued a 72-hour ultimatum.
“Such rhetoric suggests possible violations of the cardinal principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution in the conduct of hostilities that are designed to guarantee the protection of the civilian population.”
In response to accusations that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is stationed among the civilian population, Bachelet asserted that, under international law, parties to a conflict must take all possible measures to protect the population. under its control from the effects of attacks, namely, avoiding, as far as possible, locating military targets in densely populated areas.
However, this does not give the Ethiopian state carte blanche to respond with the use of artillery in densely populated areas. I remind all parties to the conflict that the obligation to respect international law is not conditional on the behavior of the other party. All parties to the conflict are obliged to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law, as appropriate. The protection of civilians is paramount. “
In particular, the High Commissioner recalled that it is prohibited to treat as a single number in a military target the precise military targets located in a densely populated area.
Bachelet said she was deeply disturbed by the continuing communications blackout in Tigray province, making it very difficult for civilians to communicate with their families and for the UN to monitor the humanitarian and human rights situation. Reports continue to emerge of arbitrary arrests and detentions, killings, as well as discrimination and stigmatization of ethnic tigers. More than 40,000 people have fled Tigray province to neighboring Sudan since November 7.
“I appeal to all parties to respond positively to the attempts at dialogue and to guarantee unlimited access to humanitarian assistance for those who desperately need it, and protection and safety for humanitarian workers,” the High Commissioner said.
