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Thousands of Ethiopian refugees have fled the Tigray conflict and arrived at the Tenedba camp in Mafaza in eastern Sudan.
GENEVA – The UN refugee chief said Thursday he was “extremely concerned” about the humanitarian situation faced by Eritrean refugees in northern Ethiopia, citing strong indications of “serious violations” of international law.
Filippo Grandi said he was “very concerned” for the safety and well-being of Eritrean refugees in two refugee camps in the Tigray region, which United Nations agencies have not been able to access after an Ethiopian military offensive.
“I remain very concerned about the humanitarian situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region and its impact on the civilian population, in particular the Eritrean refugees housed in the region,” the head of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said in a statement.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, ordered the entry of troops into Tigray in early November, in response to attacks on federal army camps in the region allegedly orchestrated by the Front of Liberation of the People of Tigray (TPLF).
Before the riots, some 96,000 Eritrean refugees were sheltering in four camps in Tigray, which have been in operation for more than a decade.
– Allegations of abuse of ‘serious’ rights –
Grandi welcomed access to the Mai Aini and Adi Harush camps, with agencies capable of distributing food to some 25,000 Eritrean refugees and starting work on restoring water and health services.
“However, despite repeated requests, UNHCR and its partners have still not had access to the Shimelba and Hitsats refugee camps since the start of the public order operation two months ago,” he said.
“I am very concerned for the safety and well-being of the Eritrean refugees in those camps. They have been without help for many weeks.”
“Furthermore, and most worryingly, I continue to receive many reliable reports and first-hand accounts of the current insecurity and allegations of serious and harrowing human rights abuses, including killings, targeted kidnappings and forced return of refugees to Eritrea. Grandi said.
Last month, the United States called the reports of Eritrean troops in Tigray “credible” and “serious”.
Ethiopia’s ambassador to Washington, Fitsum Arega, immediately denounced the reports as “lies.”
But a senior Ethiopian army officer, General Belay Seyoum, confirmed this month that Eritrean soldiers had entered the area.
Tigray residents have also accused Eritrean troops of abuses and looting in the area.
– ‘Major violations’ –
“Reports of additional military incursions over the past 10 days are consistent with open source satellite imagery showing new fires and other new signs of destruction at the two camps.
“These are concrete indications of significant violations of international law.”
Grandi said UNHCR teams on the ground were equally distressed by their inability to help thousands of Eritrean refugees fleeing the camps in search of safety and support.
“Refugees arriving on foot in the town of Shire in Tigray are emaciated, asking for help that is not available,” he said, while those arriving in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa are sent back to Tigray, some against his will.
Grandi reiterated the UN-wide call for full and unimpeded access in Tigray.
“Safe access and swift action are now needed to save thousands of lives at risk,” added the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Thousands have died in the fighting in Tigray, according to the International Crisis Group, and tens of thousands of refugees have crossed the border into Sudan.
Abiy declared victory in late November. However, the TPLF has vowed to keep fighting.
