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United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Thursday underscored the need for an independent and objective assessment of reports of serious human rights violations in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. The UN Human Rights Office received reports of the killing of eight protesters by security forces in Adigrat, Mekelle, Shire and Wukro, in the eastern northern region, between February 9 and 10. More than 136 cases of rape were also reported in hospitals in the region.
“Deeply distressing reports of sexual and gender-based violence, extrajudicial killings, widespread destruction and looting of public and private property by all parties continue to be shared with us, as well as reports of ongoing fighting in downtown Tigray in particular,” Bachelet said. . “Credible information also continues to emerge on the serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by all parties to the Tigray conflict in November last year.”
A preliminary assessment indicated that there are serious violations of international law that could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. These violations are said to have possibly been committed by the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the Eritrian Armed Forces and the Amhara Regional Forces. In this regard, Bachelet stated:
With multiple actors in the conflict, blanket denials and finger pointing, there is a clear need for an objective and independent evaluation of these reports; the victims and survivors of these violations should not be denied their rights to truth and justice. We urge the Government of Ethiopia to allow my Office and other independent monitors access to the Tigray region, with a view to establishing the facts and contributing to accountability, regardless of the affiliation of the perpetrators.
Bachelet recognized the government’s efforts for accountability and allowing access for humanitarian groups as expressed in press releases.
