Ethiopian crisis: Rights report says 'all parties' have violated human rights in 'brutal' war; PM Abiy dismisses it as false

Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) – A joint investigation by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and the UN Human Rights Office has found that there are reasonable grounds to believe that all parties to the conflict in Tigray region have, to varying degrees, committed violations of international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law, some of which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

In a report published on Wednesday, which examines the devastating impact the conflict has had on civilians, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) details a series of violations and abuses, including unlawful killings and extra-judicial executions, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, violations against refugees, and forced displacement of civilians.

The UN Human Rights Office said the report covers the period from 3 November 2020, when the armed conflict began between the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), the Eritrean Defence Force (EDF), the Amhara Special Forces (ASF), the Amhara Fano and other militias on one side, and the Tigrayan Special Forces (TSF), Tigrayan militia and other allied groups on the other, until 28 June 2021 when the Ethiopian Government declared a unilateral ceasefire.

It said the JIT conducted 269 confidential interviews with victims and witnesses of alleged violations and abuses, and other sources, and held over 60 meetings with federal and regional officials, representatives of international organisations, NGOs, community-based committees, medical personnel, and other sources. 

“As the conflict expands with more reports of violations and abuses, this report presents an opportunity for all parties to acknowledge responsibility and commit to concrete measures on accountability, redress for victims and the search for a sustainable solution to end the suffering of millions,” said Daniel Bekele, Chief Commissioner of the EHRC.

Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said: “The Tigray conflict has been marked by extreme brutality. The gravity and seriousness of the violations and abuses we have documented underscore the need to hold perpetrators accountable on all sides.” 

“As the conflict has escalated, with civilians as ever caught in the middle, it is vital that all parties heed the repeated calls to end hostilities and seek a lasting ceasefire,” said Bachelet.

In his reaction, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the JIT findings of genocide are false and utterly lack any factual basis.

“We have always known these allegations were false but our enemies have worked tirelessly to mislead the international community,” Abiy said.

The official Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) quoted him as saying in a statement that the fact that these "fabricated allegations were treated as facts and repeated around the world by news outlets is a sad commentary on the level of due diligence accorded to news reporting when it comes to African affairs".

The JIT report provided details of cases of attacks against civilians and indiscriminate attacks; unlawful or extrajudicial killings and executions; torture; widespread arbitrary detentions, abductions and enforced disappearances; pillage, looting and destruction of property; sexual and gender-based violence; forcible displacement of civilians; and refugees.

The report also details the specific impact of the conflict on a range of other human rights, including children’s rights; the rights of older people and people with disabilities; the denial of access to humanitarian relief; restrictions on freedom of movement; as well as constraints on freedom of expression and access to information, with the internet and other means of communication largely cut off.

“The shutdown of communication has caused trauma and distress among civilians in Tigray, as well as families and loved ones residing within the rest of the country and abroad,” the report said.

The arrest and intimidation of journalists have threatened independent voices and produced a chilling effect limiting the work of journalists, it said.

The recommendations of the JIT report include a call to all parties to the conflict to end all violations and abuses and to take all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

It calls on them to agree, without preconditions, to immediately end hostilities and end any measures that may exacerbate the already acute humanitarian crisis.

Among its recommendations to the Government of Ethiopia, the JIT calls for prompt, thorough and effective investigations by independent and impartial bodies into allegations of violations and to hold those responsible accountable.

Investigations and prosecutions of all reported cases of unlawful or extra-judicial killings and executions should be a priority, with victims and their families of victims being involved and kept fully informed. 

The Government of Eritrea should also undertake investigations meeting international standards.

It should take immediate steps to ensure all acts of violence by its forces against civilians cease, while removing from active duty those suspected of committing such acts pending investigation.

The report also calls on the Eritrean Government to immediately release Eritrean refugees detained in the country and ensure their safety and security, as well as their right to seek asylum in accordance with international laws. 

Prime Minister Abiy noted that the report did not find evidence to support the claim of “deliberate or willful denial of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Tigray or the use of starvation as a weapon of war”.

“We have always known these allegations were false but our enemies have worked tirelessly to mislead the international community,”  Abiy said.

“Today, these sinister allegations are laid to rest as products of a well-organised and orchestrated disinformation campaign. We hope the report will cause these nations to reconsider and review policies enacted based on false information.”

The Prime Minister said: “Although we have some serious reservations concerning some aspects of the report, we recognise and accept the report as an important document that complements our on-going effort to provide redress to victims, ensure accountability, and take preventive measures.”   

According to the premier, the report documents the harrowing suffering and pain that ordinary Ethiopians have endured since the onset of the conflict, adding that "the accounts of those whose dignity and humanity have been violated in the context of the conflict is heartbreaking".

-0- PANA MA 3Nov2021