UN Highlights Ongoing Human Rights Abuses by Eritrean Troops in Tigray

The UN has warned that Eritrean troops in Tigray continue to commit human rights abuses, defying the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of 2022. Key concerns include ongoing impunity, serious violations like abductions and sexual violence, and the lack of reforms in Eritrea’s legal system. The UN calls for immediate withdrawal of EDF and cooperation with international human rights bodies to ensure accountability.

The United Nations has issued grave warnings regarding ongoing human rights violations perpetrated by Eritrean troops in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Despite international rebukes and a 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement mandating their withdrawal, the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF) remain active in Tigray. At the 58th session of the Human Rights Council, Ilze Brands-Kehris, Assistant Secretary-General at the UN Human Rights Office, underscored the lack of political will in addressing these violations. Reports indicate that EDF troops continue to engage in severe abuses, including abductions, rape, and property theft.

The UN cited investigations conducted by the Joint OHCHR-Ethiopia Human Rights Commission, which revealed serious infractions by the Eritrean forces. Brands-Kehris noted that such impunity fuels further human rights abuses, emboldening violators to act without fear of repercussions. This issue is exacerbated by credible reports of abuses published in Human Rights Watch’s 2024 annual review, which emphasized ongoing sexual violence and looting by Eritrean troops.

Internal reports confirm that communities, particularly in regions like Zalambessa, are engulfed in fear due to the presence of Eritrean forces. The defunct International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) warned that without accountability measures, there would be no deterrent against future atrocities. Furthermore, the lack of credible reforms in Eritrea’s legal and justice systems has hindered efforts to address human rights violations effectively.

Brands-Kehris identified persistent issues such as indefinite military service and enforced disappearances, calling attention to the repression of civil rights in Eritrea. Many individuals, including dissenters and journalists, face incommunicado detention without trial. The UN official urged Eritrea to fully engage with international human rights bodies and implement necessary justice sector reforms to ensure accountability and protect fundamental rights.

The United Nations has raised significant concerns regarding the Eritrean Defense Forces’ persistent human rights violations in the Tigray region, emphasizing the acute lack of accountability and political will for reform in Eritrea. This impunity is fostering a climate of fear among civilians and enabling further atrocities. The call for Eritrea to cooperate with international mechanisms and implement justice reforms is essential to halting these violations and ensuring respect for human rights within the region.

Original Source: addisstandard.com