Geneva Council strongly condemns the continued human rights abuses occurring in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, even in the face of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA). Despite a truce signed by warring parties last November, grave violations persist, according to an alarming report by the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia.
The report, presented during the ongoing 54th Session of the Human Rights Council, reveals disturbing findings that underscore the urgency of the situation. Both the Ethiopian and Eritrean governments are accused of obstructing the vital work of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia by refusing to cooperate fully with its investigations.
In the aftermath of the COHA, the commission had sought to document the extent of humanitarian crises and human rights abuses in the Tigray region. However, the lack of cooperation from these governments has hindered comprehensive reporting on the situation. The Ethiopian government, in particular, has repeatedly ignored requests for meetings and information, and the Eritrean government has offered no response to concerns about its involvement in alleged violations in Ethiopia.
Key findings from the report include:
- The continued presence of Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF) in Tigray, responsible for ongoing atrocities, often in close proximity to the Ethiopian National Defence Forces.
- Blame directed at the Ethiopian government for facilitating or tolerating EDF attacks on civilians, with a focus on sexual and gender-based violence. The government has failed in its legal duty to protect its population from foreign army violations or actions by Amhara militia in western and southern Tigray.
- Widespread use of hate speech and incitement to racial and gender discrimination observed throughout the nation.
- A concerning devolution of civil authority through militarized “command posts,” including under state of emergency laws.
- Reports of large-scale arbitrary detentions, primarily targeting Amharas but affecting other groups as well.
The International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia conducted interviews with Ethiopians, who expressed a profound lack of trust in Ethiopian state institutions to carry out a credible process of transitional justice. The report’s assessment of the government’s actions to date corroborates this pervasive mistrust.
As an independent news organization committed to transparency, accountability, and the protection of human rights, Geneva Council calls upon the international community to recognize the severity of the situation in the Tigray region. We urge governments and global institutions to take immediate action to address these ongoing human rights abuses, uphold justice, and ensure the safety and well-being of the affected population.
