UN Human Rights Council 49: UK statement for the interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s oral update on human rights in Tigray

Thank you, Mr President.

The UK is grateful for the update. After 15 months of conflict, we continue to see repeated human rights violations and abuses, impacting millions in the north of Ethiopia. We remain extremely concerned by brutal and systematic sexual violence, massacres, forced displacement and attacks on civilians by all parties to the conflict.

The UK strongly supports the formation of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia to provide comprehensive monitoring, reporting and evidence-gathering. We encourage all parties to the conflict to cooperate fully with it. We welcome the swift formation of the inter-Ministerial taskforce, and also commend the ongoing efforts of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.

The ongoing blockade and TPLF attacks continue to inhibit delivery of aid across northern Ethiopia. Lack of banking, fuel and electricity means people cannot help themselves. We call again for an immediate cessation of hostilities, for a political solution, for unfettered humanitarian access, and for International Law to be respected.

High Commissioner,

It is essential that the Commission of Experts begins its work as soon as possible. What further support can you, and the international community provide to achieve this?