The United Nations human rights chief has called for sustained efforts to halt violations and abuses in Ethiopia following an update from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) that analyzed the human rights situation in the country between January 2023 and January 2024. Mr. Türk urged all parties involved in the conflict to cease their actions and resolve their differences peacefully.
The conflict in Ethiopia, which erupted in late 2020 between Government forces and northern rebels, has resulted in major rights violations on all sides, including likely war crimes. Despite a ceasefire in 2022, abuses in and around the Tigray region have continued. The OHCHR update revealed that 1,351 civilians were killed in attacks in 2023, reportedly involving Government forces, Eritrean troops, anti-Government militias, and other unidentified parties.
The human rights chief emphasized the importance of authorities taking all feasible steps to protect civilians, prevent further violations, and ensure full investigations to hold those responsible accountable. The OHCHR update acknowledged the Ethiopian Government’s efforts to advance transitional justice, prevent violence against women and children, and participate in discussions aimed at resolving the conflict in the Amhara region, which experienced serious human rights violations and abuses in 2023.
However, the update also highlighted the need for strong additional commitment to these efforts. In Sudan, the UN relief chief warned of a worsening humanitarian situation in and around El-Fasher in North Darfur. The UN Humanitarian Affairs chief, Martin Griffiths, expressed concern about the deteriorating conditions and hoped that a recent Security Council resolution would help ease the suffering of civilians in Sudan.
The resolution called for the paramilitary Rapid Security Forces (RSF) in Sudan to end their siege on Al Fasher. The RSF have been engaged in a power struggle with the forces of the military transitional government since April 2023. El Fasher is the last city in Darfur still under Government control, and civilians in the region are in desperate need of protection and aid.
The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator stressed the importance of ensuring aid reaches civilians and that the fighting ceases immediately. The World Food Programme (WFP) in Sudan highlighted the need for food delivery to remote areas before the onset of rainy season restricts access. WFP reported successful aid deliveries to tens of thousands of people in various regions of Darfur, despite challenges posed by the conflict.
In Niger, UN Regional Directors declared a strong commitment to stand with the people of the country, emphasizing the importance of supporting the population in the face of various challenges. The UN remains dedicated to providing assistance and protection to vulnerable populations in crisis-affected areas around the world.
Overall, the international community must continue to prioritize human rights, humanitarian assistance, and peacebuilding efforts in conflict-affected regions to ensure the protection and well-being of civilians. The UN and its partners are working tirelessly to address the complex challenges facing countries like Ethiopia, Sudan, and Niger, with a focus on promoting human rights, justice, and sustainable peace.
