The President of the Security Council (SC), Dinh Quy Dang of Viet Nam, issued a press statement on 22 April 2021 expressing deep concern about the humanitarian crisis in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.
While acknowledging efforts by the Ethiopian government to provide humanitarian assistance, the SC called for a broader humanitarian response with particular attention to food scarcity, as well as the removal of restrictions preventing people in need from accessing aid. Insecurity in Tigray continues to be an impediment to humanitarian operations, therefore, the restoration of normalcy is of primary importance for a successful humanitarian response to the situation.
The SC statement emphasises that international efforts to alleviate the suffering of the affected population must continue in a manner consistent with the humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence as laid out in the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. Furthermore, such efforts must be conceived and carried out with full respect for International Law.
The statement also expressed deep concern about reported human rights violations. Allegations of sexual violence against women were highlighted as a particular cause for alarm. A joint investigation by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission was welcomed as a step towards bringing those responsible for such crimes to justice. On this matter, the SC also encouraged engagement by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights.
Although the statement left Eritrea’s involvement in Tigray unmentioned, in the concluding paragraph the SC reiterated their strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity, and unity of Ethiopia.
To read more, visit:
https://www.un.org/press/en/2021/sc14501.doc.htm
https://www.voanews.com/ethiopia-tigray/un-security-council-calls-more-aid-access-ethiopias-tigray
Author: Martina Ravagnani; Editor: Alexander Collin
