HRC51 - NB8 statement - International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia

Human Rights Council – 51st session

Item 4 - Interactive dialogue with the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia

Nordic – Baltic Statement, delivered by Denmark

22 September 2022

Mr President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries: Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country Denmark.

We thank the Commission for its update and the initial report. We welcome the efforts of the Commission, which is an important complement to national efforts to ensure accountability. Comprehensive, transparent and independent investigations are central to ensuring a credible accountability process without which there will be no sustainable peace or justice for victims.

We welcome previous commitments by the Federal Ethiopian Government as well as the recent announcement by Tigray authorities to an immediate cessation of hostilities and to commit to an AU-led peace process without preconditions.

However, we remain deeply concerned about human rights violations and abuses by all parties to the conflict in northern Ethiopia. We call for all parties to end hostilities immediately and urge them to seek a negotiated political peace settlement, ensure unhindered humanitarian access and respect the human rights, security and safety of civilians.

Commissioners,

could you share your thoughts on how you will pursue cooperation with relevant stakeholders going forward, including the Government of Ethiopia, regional State governments and the Government of Eritrea?