We, the undersigned political parties, are issuing this press release to urge the extension of the mandate of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) for an additional term of one year.
We have virtually attended and carefully reviewed the ICHREE’s report on the Human rights situation in Ethiopia during the UN Human Rights Counsil’s 54th session.
The commission’s report has identified grave and systematic violations of international law and crimes committed in Tigray. It has highlighted atrocities such as mass killing of civilians, systemic rape and other forms of sexual violence, complete blockage of essential services and humanitarian aid, Incitement to discrimination and hostility, forced displacement and arbitrary detention of civilians. These heinous acts have been perpetrated by the Ethiopian forces, their internal allies, and the Eritrean forces.
Furthermore, the commission has expressed ongoing violations and concerns, including the continued presence of the Eritrean forces in Tigray, starvation and food insecurity, sexual and gender-based violations, incitement to discrimination and hostility and the securitization of the state.
The findings of the Commission clearly indicate that there are reasonable grounds to believe serious violations of International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law and International criminal laws have been committed.
Moreover, the commission has highlighted that the government of Ethiopia has failed to effectively investigate these violations and has initiated a flawed transitional justice process. Ethiopia is attempting to evade international justice through the establishment of domestic mechanisms as camouflage to fight impunity.
The commission was denied access to enter Tigray and conduct a physical investigation at the crime scene.
