Item 4: Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Experts on the situation of human rights in Ethiopia

Organisation: Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker:  Claire Denman

Thank you, Mr President,

CSW thanks the Commission for its detailed report on the ‘grave and systematic violations of international law and crimes’ underway in Ethiopia’s Tigray, Amhara, Afar and Oromia regions.

It is concerning that Eritrean troops remain in Tigray ten months after the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), and are committing SGBV, obstructing humanitarian access, and abducting individuals from Irob and elsewhere, while Amhara forces commit SGBV and forced displacement in western Tigray.

We are disturbed by the appalling statistic of over 10,000 primarily female survivors of sexual violence seeking medical attention between November 2020 and July 2023. Given residual social stigma, the actual numbers are likely to be far higher.

We are also disturbed by rising violence in Amhara and Oromo, and the emergence of footage reportedly depicting the extrajudicial execution of a youth in western Oromia by Ethiopian forces.

Risk factors for atrocity crimes remain visible, and a transitional justice effort cannot be facilitated credibly by a party to ongoing violations.

Therefore, to combat impunity, maintain an independent investigation, and ensure justice for victims, CSW urges this Council to extend the ICHREE’s mandate.

We also urge the Ethiopian authorities to cooperate fully with the Commission, and echo the call for the protection of civilians, refugees and IDPs from violations and abuses, and the fulfilment of all other obligations stipulated in the peace agreement.

Thank you.