Human rights situation in Ethiopia

Subject: Human rights situation in Ethiopia

It is a known fact that conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia is continuing. On 4 March 2021, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights denounced possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in the region.

According to recent revelations, extrajudicial summary executions have been carried out against civilians in the region, where the executioners were wearing military uniforms bearing Ethiopian army insignia. All parties to the conflict have soiled their hands with serious war crimes, according to a number of investigations.

Taking account of the Geneva Conventions to which Ethiopia and Eritrea are parties, in addition to international humanitarian law and jus cogens in relation to war crimes, and given the failure of the UN Security Council to adopt a common position on the issue, can the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy say:

1. whether, in his view, serious human rights violations have been or are being committed in the region;

2. whether and how he intends to take appropriate action, through his own diplomacy;

3. whether he considers there may be grounds for bringing the matter before the UN Security Council once again?

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell on behalf of the European Commission (27 January 2022)

As the Honourable Members noted, a war agenda unfortunately continues to prevail in Ethiopia. On 3 November 2021, the joint Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)/Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) report concerning the Tigray conflict was released, which denounces ‘violations of international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law, some of which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity’ by ‘all parties to the conflict in Tigray’ (1).

In light of these numerous human rights violations witnessed on the ground and based on the outcomes of the joint OHCHR/EHRC report, the High Representative/ Vice-President of the Commission asked EEAS after November 2020 Foreign Affairs Council to start working on restrictive measures under the EU's global human rights sanctions regime (EUGHRSR). This work is currently being carried out and soon listings will be proposed for adoption to Member States.

EU is also considering possible additional responses within the framework of the UN Human Rights Council. Finally, additional restrictive measures may be examined in the coming months.

As the Honourable Members know, the situation in Ethiopia was last discussed at the UN Security Council (UNSC) on 8 November 2021. On 5 November 2021, the Members of the Security Council called through a Press Statement ‘to put an end to hostilities and to negotiate a lasting ceasefire’ (2).

As the UNSC Press Statement also indicates, the members of the Security Council reiterate their support for the role of regional organisations, namely the African Union, in resolving conflicts and sustaining regional peace and security.

The EU supports the ongoing mediation efforts carried out by the African Union High Representative Obasanjo. The EU also continues its efforts to bring the situation in Ethiopia onto the agenda of the UNSC.

⋅1∙ https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/ET/OHCHR-EHRC-Tigray-Report.pdf

⋅2∙ https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sc14691.doc.htm