The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has asked for stringent measures to stop the ongoing human rights violations and abuses hampering reconciliation and peace efforts in Ethiopia. Türk urged the parties to resolve their differences through peaceful means. Spokesperson Liz Throssell gave the details of the High Commissioner's message at the biweekly press briefing in Geneva.
Analyzing the human rights situation across Ethiopia from January 2023 to January 2024, Throssell, the High Commissioner, identified violent conflicts, particularly in the Amhara and Oromia regions, which led to serious human rights violations and abuses in 2023.
"In the northern Tigray region, there was a significant improvement in the human rights situation following the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in November 2022, but concerns persist regarding ongoing violations by members of the Eritrean Defence Forces," she said.
In 2023, at least 1,351 civilians were killed in Ethiopia in attacks reportedly conducted by Government forces, Eritrean troops, antigovernmental militias, and some unknown actors. Of the civilians killed, 740 were in Amhara.
"The use of unmanned aerial vehicles by Government forces resulted in 248 civilian deaths between 4 August and 31 December 2023, and destroyed vital infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, raising concerns about the extent of compliance of these strikes with international law," Throssell added.
Overall, the update records 594 incidents of human rights violations and abuses affecting 8,253 victims—a 56 percent increase compared with 2022. According to the update, State actors were reportedly responsible for some 70 percent of the violations, while non-state actors accounted for some 22 percent.
The update acknowledged the Ethiopian Government's efforts to promote transitional justice and prevent violence against women and children, as well as its openness to engage in dialogue to resolve the fighting in the Amhara region.
The update noted a recommendation for implementing a comprehensive, inclusive, and participatory transitional justice process.