Statement by Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew, Permanent Representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland during the Interactive Dialogue with ICHREE 21 March 2023, Geneva
Mr. President,
Ethiopia is focused on the full implementation of the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities signed in Pretoria, the Republic of South Africa on the 2nd of November 2022, through an African Union-convened process. This Agreement has stopped the conflict and all forms of hostilities. The second pillar of the implementation is a significant increase in humanitarian aid and restoration of services. Another pillar is disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of former combatants.
These undertakings are being overseen by the AU Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance Mechanism. On the 10th of March 2023, the National Tehadiso or Rehabilitation Commission held consultations in Mekele on the Demobilization and Reintegration of former combatants.
The Agreement has also provided transitional measures, which include adopting a transitional justice policy to ensure accountability, truth-telling, redress for victims, healing, and reconciliation. On 6 March 2023, the inaugural ceremony for the nationwide consultations was held. On the 16th of March, a workshop for experience and expertise sharing was held involving speakers from different countries, organizations, and academicians in the field.
These measures further consolidate the work of the inter-ministerial task force implementing the joint recommendations of UNOHCHR and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. The UNOHCHR and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, at the request of the Government, are supporting the nationwide consultations on transitional justice and will jointly deploy human rights monitors to conflict-affected areas. In the meantime, we call on the International Commission of Human Rights Experts to take extra care in the period until September, when it will submit its final report, not to repeat the kinds of inflammatory and unfounded allegations contained in its preliminary report with the potential to undermine the Peace Agreement, stability and durable peace in Ethiopia.
Finally, Mr. President, I reiterate the firm commitment of the Government of Ethiopia to investigate allegations of violations of human rights and humanitarian law, to ensure justice is done and victims receive redress.
The reminder of my statement will be delivered at the conclusion of the Interactive Dialogue.
I thank you.
Mr. President,
After listening to the comments from different delegations, I will just make following additional points.
- As I have stated earlier, the Transitional Justice mechanism will be important in ensuring accountability and redress.
- The Government has been taking concrete steps to expedite humanitarian assistance to people of concern and restore public services. This has enabled humanitarian actors to provide unhindered and unfettered humanitarian assistance. The Government is also taking measures to restore critical infrastructure.
- It is to be recalled that the Government of Ethiopia has previously invited the Commission to Addis Ababa to explore modalities for cooperation by building upon the Report of the Joint Investigation by the OHCHR and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. Unfortunately, the Commission was not ready to engage constructively in accordance with its mandate.
- Going forward, the international community could best support Ethiopia in redoubling its support to the Transitional Justice relayed process.
I thank you.
Ethiopia refutes the report presented by the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) during the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council interactive dialogue held on 21 Sep 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland. Here is H.E. Amb Tsegab Kebebew’s full statement:-
Statement by H.E. Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia at the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council under Agenda Item 4: Interactive Dialogue with ICHREE,
Mr. President,
Since the signing of the Pretoria Peace Agreement, Ethiopia has redoubled its efforts to consolidate peace in the country. We have been using peaceful avenues to settle differences. We have taken measures to ensure accountability and redress for violations of human rights.
However, we noted with profound regret that ICHREE has not shown any inclination to recognize the tremendous progress registered in Ethiopia in the silencing of guns – following the African Union-led and Ethiopian-owned peace process.
ICHREE’s report and findings – which had been compiled based on highly questionable methodological approaches and from very remote locations, have grossly mischaracterized the positive and widely acclaimed political developments in Ethiopia. The report also contradicts the findings of the investigation conducted on the ground through the joint enterprise of the OHCHR and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.
It is not surprising that ICHREE has produced yet another substandard and political report. After rejecting the Government’s offer to cooperate, ICHREE has elected to make political assessments on matters far beyond its competence. It engaged in increased inflammatory rhetoric. It has the temerity to suggest that some armed elements have support from communities.
Mr. President,
ICHREE was mandated to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into allegations of violations of human rights committed in the context of the conflict in north Ethiopia. Yet, it failed to adduce evidence that meets internationally accepted standards. For the greater part, it relied on social media commentaries and partisan comments offered by asylum seekers in two neighbouring countries. With obvious motivations, ICHREE’s report falls short of the guidance provided by the Council for mandate holders.
Ethiopia issued a State of Emergency on 4 August 2023 for a limited duration to restore law and order and protect civilians. ICHREE echoed negative and largely unsubstantiated commentaries that appeared on social media. The State of Emergency is monitored by a parliament-established Inquiry Board. The Board ensures that any force used must be necessary, proportionate, and not abused, and respects human rights standards.
Ethiopia has also provided and facilitated lifesaving humanitarian assistance and ensured unhindered access for humanitarian actors to support people affected by the conflict.
Mr. President,
I am pleased to report to this Council that Ethiopia has successfully conducted nationwide consultations on options for the transitional justice policy in Ethiopia. ICHREE’s report cannot undermine this unprecedented national process. The consultative process has been participatory and supported by OHCHR and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission to ensure that it meets international standards. There have also been consultations with civil society, including with women’s rights associations and renowned international experts. These consultations were conducted adopting gender sensitive approaches and in a manner that was broad-based and inclusive of victims.
Once the transitional justice policy is finalized and adopted in the coming few weeks, it is expected to comprehensively address all the alleged serious human rights violations.
As a preventive mechanism, at the invitation of Ethiopia, both the OHCHR and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission have deployed human rights monitors in the conflict-affected areas. Any findings from this deployment will be used by the government to take corrective and remedial measures.
Mr. President,
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has recognized these developments in Ethiopia and terminated the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on the Human Rights Situation in Ethiopia. The implementation of the transitional justice policy will certainly use all available and credible information to ensure accountability, truth-telling, healing, and reconciliation in the country. As ICHREE’s mandate terminates with this final report, the Commission must hand over any relevant information to OHCHR for a potential examination by national bodies in the implementation of the transitional justice policy.
Mr. President,
ICHREE was mandated to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into allegations of violations of human rights committed in the context of the conflict in north Ethiopia. Yet, it failed to adduce evidence that meets internationally accepted standards. For the greater part, it relied on social media commentaries and partisan comments offered by asylum seekers in two neighbouring countries. With obvious motivations, ICHREE’s report falls short of the guidance provided by the Council for mandate holders.
Ethiopia issued a State of Emergency on 4 August 2023 for a limited duration to restore law and order and protect civilians. ICHREE echoed negative and largely unsubstantiated commentaries that appeared on social media. The State of Emergency is monitored by a parliament-established Inquiry Board. The Board ensures that any force used must be necessary, proportionate, and not abused, and respects human rights standards.
Ethiopia has also provided and facilitated lifesaving humanitarian assistance and ensured unhindered access for humanitarian actors to support people affected by the conflict.
Mr. President,
I am pleased to report to this Council that Ethiopia has successfully conducted nationwide consultations on options for the transitional justice policy in Ethiopia. ICHREE’s report cannot undermine this unprecedented national process. The consultative process has been participatory and supported by OHCHR and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission to ensure that it meets international standards. There have also been consultations with civil society, including with women’s rights associations and renowned international experts. These consultations were conducted adopting gender sensitive approaches and in a manner that was broad-based and inclusive of victims.
Once the transitional justice policy is finalized and adopted in the coming few weeks, it is expected to comprehensively address all the alleged serious human rights violations.
As a preventive mechanism, at the invitation of Ethiopia, both the OHCHR and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission have deployed human rights monitors in the conflict-affected areas. Any findings from this deployment will be used by the government to take corrective and remedial measures.
Mr. President,
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has recognized these developments in Ethiopia and terminated the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on the Human Rights Situation in Ethiopia. The implementation of the transitional justice policy will certainly use all available and credible information to ensure accountability, truth-telling, healing, and reconciliation in the country. As ICHREE’s mandate terminates with this final report, the Commission must hand over any relevant information to OHCHR for a potential examination by national bodies in the implementation of the transitional justice policy.
I thank you.
