International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia 30 June 2022
/
3:22
/
MP4
/
248.1 MB

Edited News | OHCHR , UNITED NATIONS

International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia 30 June 2022

Violations and abuses of international human rights, international humanitarian law and refugee law still appear to be perpetrated with impunity by various parties to the conflict in Ethiopia. This is one of the key findings of the first report presented today by the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia to the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

“The Commission is alarmed that violations and abuses of international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law - the subject matter of our inquiry – appear still to be perpetrated with impunity even now by various parties to the conflict”, said Ms. Kaari Betty Murungi, the Commissions chairperson.

The Commission, established in December 2021, is mandated to conduct investigations to establish the facts and the circumstances surrounding alleged violations and abuses of International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law and International Refugee Law committed by all parties to the conflict in Ethiopia since November 2020.

“This spread of violence, the dire humanitarian crisis made worse by lack of access in some areas by the civilian population to humanitarian assistance including medical and food aid, obstruction of aid workers and persistent drought, exacerbates the suffering of millions of people in Ethiopia and in the region”, said Ms. Kaari Betty Murungi. She added that “the Commission emphasizes the responsibility of the Government of Ethiopia to bring to an end such violations on its territory and, bring those responsible to justice”.

Since the outbreak of armed conflict in November 2020 in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, Ethiopian national forces, Eritrean troops, Amhara forces and other militias on one side, and forces loyal to the Tigray people’s Liberation Front (TPFL), have forced hundreds of thousands of Tigrayans to leave their homes through threats and intimidation in a brutal ethnic cleansing campaign. The violence escalated and began to affect neighboring regions Afar and Amhara, with Afar providing the only channel of access for aid into Tigray.

Warring parties are accused to have carried out widespread human rights violations, including massacres, gender-based violence, extra judicial killings, forced displacements, violence against refugee camps and internally displaced persons.

In March 24, 2022, the Ethiopian government declared a humanitarian truce, an agreement that sought to allow much-needed access to aid for citizens in the region.

In its reply to the Commission's report Zenebe Kebebe Korcho, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN Geneva, said that “the country is now turning a page. The Government of Ethiopia has decided to seek a peaceful end to the conflict. An inclusive national dialogue is launched to address political problems across the country. The government has taken numerous confidence building measures”.

The Commission which was appointed in March 2022 is also mandated to provide guidance on transitional justice including accountability, national reconciliation, healing and make recommendations to the Government of Ethiopia on these measures.

According to ambassador Zenebe Kebebe Korcho “Ethiopia has also taken measures to ensure accountability for alleged serious human rights violations. The Government of Ethiopia facilitated the United Nation Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission to conduct a joint investigation within the context of the conflict in the Tigray region.”

At a press stakeout following the presentation at the Human Rights Council the Commission’s chair reminded that “at a time when the international community is faced with numerous simultaneous conflicts, the world must not turn away from the situation in Ethiopia”. Furthermore, Ms. Murungi said that “the on-going spread of violence, fuelled by hate speech and incitement to ethnic-based and gender-based violence, are early warning indicators of further atrocity crimes against innocent civilians, especially women and children who are more vulnerable.”

The Commission is extremely alarmed by ongoing atrocities against civilians.

“Just over a week ago, the Commission received reports of killings of between 200 and 300 civilians in an alleged massacre in Western Oromia, which we are investigating”, said Kaari Betty Murungi.

The Commission is currently engaging with the Government of Ethiopia with regard to modalities of engagement including access to sites of violations for its investigations and to survivors, victims and witnesses.

With respect to investigations, we have assembled our team in Entebbe, Uganda, and the investigations have begun – albeit remotely”, the Commission’s chairperson said. “We have had meetings with the victims and first-hand witnesses, we have analysed submissions that have been made”.

- ends-

  1. Exterior shot, wide shot Palais des Nations on a sunny day
  2. Wide shot, Human Rights Room
  3. SOUNDBITE (English) - Kaari Betty Murungi, Chairperson of International Commission of Human Rights Expert on Ethiopia:The Commission is alarmed that violations and abuses of international human rights, humanitarian and refugee law - the subject matter of our inquiry – appear still to be perpetrated with impunity even now by various parties to the conflict”.
  4. Wide shot, Human Rights Room with screen in foreground
  5. SOUNDBITE (English) - Kaari Betty Murungi, Chairperson of International Commission of Human Rights Expert on Ethiopia: “This spread of violence, the dire humanitarian crisis made worse by lack of access in some areas by the civilian population to humanitarian assistance including medical and food aid, obstruction of aid workers and persistent drought, exacerbates the suffering of millions of people in Ethiopia and in the region”.
  6. Wide shot, Human Rights Room with podium with speakers
  7. Close up, journalists listening
  8. SOUNDBITE (English) - Kaari Betty Murungi, Chairperson of International Commission of Human Rights Expert on Ethiopia: “The Commission emphasizes the responsibility of the Government of Ethiopia to bring to an end such violations on its territory and, bring those responsible to justice”.
  9. Close up, Kaari Betty Murungi filmed from behind
  10. SOUNDBITE (English) - Zenebe Kebebe Korcho, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN Geneva: “The country is now turning a page. The Government of Ethiopia has decided to seek a peaceful end to the conflict. An inclusive national dialogue is launched to address political problems across the country. The government has taken numerous confidence building measures”.
  11. Wide shot, speakers at podium with screen next to them
  12. SOUNDBITE (English) - Zenebe Kebebe Korcho, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN Geneva: “Ethiopia has also taken measures to ensure accountability for alleged serious human rights violations. The Government of Ethiopia facilitated the United Nation Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission to conduct a joint investigation within the context of the conflict in the Tigray region.”
  13. Medium shot, Zenebe Kebebe Korcho
  14. SOUNDBITE (English) - Kaari Betty Murungi, Chairperson of International Commission of Human Rights Expert on Ethiopia: “At a time when the international community is faced with numerous simultaneous conflicts, the world must not turn away from the situation in Ethiopia. The on-going spread of violence, fuelled by hate speech and incitement to ethnic-based and gender-based violence, are early warning indicators of further atrocity crimes against innocent civilians, especially women and children who are more vulnerable.”
  15. Wide shot, stakeout at the UN in Geneva
  16. SOUNDBITE (English) - Kaari Betty Murungi, Chairperson of International Commission of Human Rights Expert on Ethiopia: “Just over a week ago, the Commission received reports of killings of between 200 and 300 civilians in an alleged massacre in Western Oromia, which we are investigating.”
  17. Medium shot, journalists listening and filming the stakeout
  18. SOUNDBITE (English) - Kaari Betty Murungi, Chairperson of International Commission of Human Rights Expert on Ethiopia: “With respect to investigations, we have assembled our team in Entebbe, Uganda, and the investigations have begun – albeit remotely. We have had meetings with the victims and first-hand witnesses, we have analysed submissions that have been made”.
  19. Close up, delegate
  20. Medium shot, journalists filmed from behind at stakeout
  21. Wide shot, ceiling of Human Rights Room
  22. Wide shot, Human Rights Room, ceiling with delegates and speakers at podium on screen

Similar Stories

DRC  UN report raises spectre of war crimes and crimes against humanity in North and South Kivu   Ravina Shamdasani UN Human Rights Spokesperson

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

DRC UN report raises spectre of war crimes and crimes against humanity in North and South Kivu Ravina Shamdasani UN Human Rights Spokesperson ENG FRA

A UN report on the Democratic Republic of Congo raises specter of war crimes and crimes against humanity in North and South Kivu, according to UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani.

Global air pollution update - WMO 04 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | WMO

Global air pollution update - WMO 04 September 2025 ENG FRA

As billions of people continue to breathe polluted air that causes more than 4.5 million premature deaths every year, UN climate experts on Friday highlighted how damaging microscopic smoke particles from wildfires play their part, travelling half-way across the world.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Cameroon

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Cameroon ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence made the following comment on the on-going presidential election process in Cameroon at the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva. 

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Myanmar

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Myanmar ENG FRA

The UN Human Rights Office released a new report on Myanmar, describing death, destruction and desperation which reflect atrocities committed in 2017. 

Afghanistan earthquake update OCHA - IFRC - UNHCR

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , IFRC , UNHCR

Afghanistan earthquake update OCHA - IFRC - UNHCR ENG FRA

Afghanistan: Humanitarians scramble to reach survivors of deadly quake; response at ‘breaking point’

In remote eastern Afghanistan, aid workers are racing to assist survivors of Sunday’s devastating earthquake as the death toll continues to climb, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.

Gaza - Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA

1

1

1

Edited News | UNRWA

Gaza - Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA ENG FRA

The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, repeated his urgent call for a ceasefire in Gaza on Friday, amid increased military Israeli activity in the enclave’s largest city.

Gaza update - OCHA WHO 29 August 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , WHO

Gaza update - OCHA WHO 29 August 2025 ENG FRA

Amid reports of increased Israeli military operations across Gaza City on Friday, UN aid agencies repeated urgent warnings of ongoing famine and a likely rise in preventable disease, linked to the dire living conditions in the war-shattered enclave.

OHCHR-Ravina Shamdasani: increasing executions in Iran

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

OHCHR-Ravina Shamdasani: increasing executions in Iran ENG FRA

UN calls for Iran to halt executions and move towards ending the death penalty.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan on Killing of Journalists in Gaza

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al Kheetan on Killing of Journalists in Gaza ENG FRA

The UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan made the following comment on the killing of journalists in Gaza at the bi-weekly press briefing.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan on “rotation” practice by Egyptian Government

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan on “rotation” practice by Egyptian Government ENG FRA

The UN Human Rights Office on Tuesday called on Egyptian authorities to end the practice known as “rotation”, which allows Government critics to be held arbitrarily and for prolonged periods.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Sudan attacks

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Sudan attacks ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on deadly attacks by the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan 

Gaza City famine – UN OCHA, WFP, WHO, OHCHR 22 August 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , OHCHR , UNITED NATIONS , WFP , WHO

Gaza City famine – UN OCHA, WFP, WHO, OHCHR 22 August 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza: Famine “irrefutably” confirmed, UN humanitarians unite in plea for aid access

Famine has been confirmed in Gaza Governorate by the world’s top authority on food security and will spread further within the Strip unless fighting stops and much more aid is allowed in, UN humanitarians said on Friday.