Panafrican News Agency

Ethiopian crisis: Ethiopia rejects 'politically motivated' EU resolution on human rights situation in Tigray

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - Ethiopia has rejected the resolution by the European Union (EU) on the situation of human rights in Tigray region adopted at the 47th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, describing it as "politically motivated".

The Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) quoted a press statement issued on Tuesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that “there is no moral or legal ground to justify the untimely adoption of a politically motivated resolution”.

The UN Human Rights Council in its resolution expressed grave concern at reports of serious human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law and international refugee law allegedly committed by all parties in the Tigray region since the start of the conflict on 4 November 2020.

It called for the swift and verifiable withdrawal of Eritrean troops from the Tigray region.

The resolution also underscored the need to hold accountable all those responsible for human rights violations and abuses.

The EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, meanwhile, has urged member states to consider imposing sanctions over the crisis in Tigray region.

The Ethiopian foreign ministry said the government had agreed to the deployment of a joint investigation team composed of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to inquire into human rights violations allegedly committed during the crisis in Tigray.

It said the joint team commenced its investigation last May and is expected to end in August.

The statement said: "In addition, investigations are being expanded in scope by coordinating the efforts of the military justice system, regional law enforcement authorities and federal investigators and prosecutors.

"The Government of Ethiopia has been appealing for the withdrawal of the resolution on the premise that first, it is premature, and second, it interferes with and undermines the integrity of the ongoing joint investigations, the press statement elaborated."

Ethiopia said it made its case clear before the council, pleaded for the investigation to run its course and called on the UN Human Rights Office to provide the necessary time and space for the investigations to be completed.

It stressed that "constructive engagement, rather than a hasty decision" by the Council would have contributed to expeditiously bring the ongoing efforts to a successful conclusion.

"Let it be known that those who were involved in committing crimes will be brought to justice and punished to the full extent of the law. The Government of Ethiopia once again reiterates its commitment to fulfill its national and international human rights obligations," the statement said.

-0- PANA MA 14July2021