Improvement to simmering conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region noted in UN update

By Peter Kenny

GENEVA (AA) - The UN Human Rights chief on Friday urged all parties to the conflict in Ethiopia to halt hostilities and resolve differences peacefully as conflicts continue to endanger peace in the northeast African country.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesperson Liz Throssell explained the call made by Human Rights chief Volker Turk, who issued an update on a human rights analysis for Ethiopia from January 2023 to January 2024.

Violent conflicts, particularly in the Amhara and Oromia regions, led to serious human rights violations and abuses in 2023, the update said.

"In the northern Tigray region, there was a significant improvement in the human rights situation following the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in November 2022," said Throssell.

- Eritrean forces' violations

However, concerns persist about the ongoing violations by members of the Eritrean Defense Forces, she said.

"Eritrean troops are operating on their own," said Throssell.

For his part, Turk said: "I urge the parties to the conflict to halt ongoing hostilities and to resolve differences through peaceful means.

"It is essential that the authorities take all feasible steps to protect civilians, prevent further violations, and ensure full investigations to bring those responsible to justice."

In 2023, at least 1,351 civilians were killed in Ethiopia in attacks reportedly carried out by government forces, Eritrean troops, anti-government militias, and some unknown actors.

Of the civilians killed, 740 were in Amhara.

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, by government forces resulted in 248 civilian deaths between Aug. 4 and Dec. 31, 2023.

They destroyed vital infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, raising concerns about the extent of compliance of these strikes with international law.

The update also details an attack on Jan. 29 this year, in which at least 89 civilians were killed, reportedly by government troops, in the Merawi town near Bahir Dar, the regional capital of Amhara.

Overall, the update recorded 594 human rights violations and abuse incidents, affecting 8,253 victims -- a 56% increase compared with 2022.

State actors were reportedly responsible for some 70% of the violations, while non-state actors accounted for 22%.

Insurgents from the Fano separatist movement and their allies killed at least 52 civilians and destroyed civilian property, attacked medical personnel, and destroyed ambulances in violence targeted at government personnel.

The State of Emergency was declared in Ethiopia on Aug. 4, 2023, and expired on June 3 this year, and Turk welcomed it not being extended.

"I urge the authorities to release immediately those detained under the former State of Emergency if they are not charged under currently valid law and tried promptly and fairly," said Turk.

He also called on the Ethiopian authorities to lift the movement restrictions and resume regular law enforcement operations to protect people.