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Both the United States and the United Nations are calling for an immediate end to the fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region and for access to independent investigators, amid reports of ongoing atrocities against civilians. VOA’s Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine report
Addis Abeba, March 04/2021 – Tigray regional state interim administration has reached at a unanimous stand on the need for the withdrawal of Eritrean troops from the region.
The interim administration’s bureau head Gebremeskel Kassa told the BBC Amharic that Eritrean troops are in Tigray and have “controlled areas in the region and committed crimes.”
The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, today briefed the Security Council on Tigray, Ethiopia.
Mr. Lowcock’s briefing focused on the current humanitarian situation in Tigray; access to the region; and action needed to scale up humanitarian deliveries.
At least 4.5 million people in Tigray need assistance, according to official estimates. Many people in rural areas remain inaccessible.
United Nations chief Antonio Guterres leads call for Eritrean troops to leave but Security Council fails to reach consensus.
![The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights office is lamenting what it said were continuing abuses including sexual violence and extrajudicial killings in Tigray [File: Eduardo Soteras/AFP]](https://i0.wp.com/www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/000_93Y66X.jpg?w=500&ssl=1)
The United Nations on Thursday alleged possible crimes against humanity in Ethiopia’s Tigray region including by Eritrean troops, as it urged a withdrawal by the neighbouring country, which denies involvement.
Beyenesh Tekleyohannes cries in her home as a group of relatives look on in the village of Dengolat, north of Mekele, the capital of Tigray, in February 2021
UN leaders on Thursday alleged possible crimes against humanity in Ethiopia’s Tigray region including by Eritrean troops, as they urged a pullout by the neighboring country, which denies involvement.
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Addis Abeba, March 4/2021 – The UN Secretary General General António Guterres joined growing numbers of countries calling on Eritrean forces to leave Tigray, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told journalists during his press briefing today. When asked if the Secretary General was “calling for Eritrean troops to leave Tigray”, Mr. Dujarric responded “yes, yes.”
The United Nations high commissioner for human rights called on Ethiopia to permit an investigation into allegations of murders and sexual violence in the Tigray region, which may amount to war crimes.
“We urge the government of Ethiopia to grant my office and other independent monitors access to the Tigray region, with a view to establishing the facts and contributing to accountability, regardless of the affiliation of the perpetrators,” Michelle Bachelet said Thursday in a statement.
“Victims and survivors of these violations must not be denied their rights to the truth and to justice,” Michelle Bachelet said in a statement, expressing her fear that violations could continue without outside scrutiny.
GENEVA (4 March 2021) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Thursday stressed the urgent need for an objective, independent assessment of the facts on the ground in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, given the persistent reports of serious human rights violations and abuses she continues to receive.
“Deeply distressing reports of sexual and gender-based violence, extrajudicial killings, widespread destruction and looting of public and private property by all parties continue to be shared with us, as well as reports of continued fighting in central Tigray in particular,” Bachelet said. “Credible information also continues to emerge about serious violations of international human rights law and humanitarian law by all parties to the conflict in Tigray in November last year.”
“Without prompt, impartial and transparent investigations and holding those responsible accountable, I fear violations will continue to be committed with impunity, and the situation will remain volatile for a long time to come.”
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(CNN)The UN Security Council will discuss the humanitarian situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region on Thursday behind closed doors, two UN diplomats have told CNN.
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(The programme of work of the Council will be updated on 1 March following its adoption by the Security Council)
The U.N. Security Council will meet Thursday to discuss the humanitarian situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, diplomats told AFP Tuesday.
For the second time in a week, the secretary of state pointed to reports of atrocities in the Ethiopian region.
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on Tuesday pressed the leader od Ethiopia to end hostilities in the northern Tigray region, citing a “growing number of credible reports of atrocities and human rights violations and abuses.”
In a statement, State Department spokesman Ned Price said Blinken pressed Abiy in a phone call to withdraw outside forces from Tigray, including troops from Ethiopia’s Amhara region and from Eritrea, and for an immediate end to violence.
In a rare interview with CNN, the exiled political leader said: “They are killing our people in this country, they are killing children, all ages of the population and they are conducting rape.
“All sorts of acts of genocide have been committed in Tigray. So, the most important thing is that an investigation must be conducted.”
In a statement, State Department spokesman Ned Price said Blinken pressed Abiy in a phone call to withdraw outside forces from Tigray, including troops from Ethiopia’s Amhara region and from Eritrea, and for an immediate end to violence.
The US asked Ethiopia to work with the international community on Tuesday to facilitate investigations into reported human rights abuses in the Tigray region.
The request came during a telephone call between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to emphasize the United States’ concern about the humanitarian and human rights crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Noting the growing number of credible reports of atrocities and human rights violations and abuses, the Secretary urged the Ethiopian government to take immediate, concrete steps to protect civilians, including refugees, and to prevent further violence. Secretary Blinken pressed for the immediate end to hostilities and the withdrawal of outside forces from Tigray, including Amhara regional security forces and Eritrean troops. Secretary Blinken also asked that the Government of Ethiopia work with the international community to facilitate independent, international, and credible investigations into reported human rights abuses and violations and to hold those responsible accountable. Secretary Blinken acknowledged Ethiopia’s recent announcement of full and unhindered humanitarian access in Tigray. He stressed the need for the Government of Ethiopia to honor its commitments around access, reiterated that the United States remains ready to assist in resolving the conflict, and highlighted the United States’ commitment to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations throughout Ethiopia.
(CNN) The ousted leader of Ethiopia’s Tigray region has accused the federal government and its Eritrean allies of genocide and other crimes against humanity, calling on US President Joe Biden to dial up the pressure against “invader forces.”
