BY MULATU BELACHEW
ADDIS ABABA—Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stated that the Government of Ethiopia is committed to hold all those responsible for violations of human rights and humanitarian law accountable.
In a press statement it issued to counter the Joint Report of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, MoFA said that the Government established the Inter-ministerial Taskforce following the Joint Investigation by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Government will carefully examine the content of the report of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch on allegedly committed crimes in Welqait as it targets at sensitive political changes in the country, peace and security, and internal boundary matters under the guise of protecting human rights. It also makes allegations of ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The Taskforce held its second meeting issuing various directives to expedite the investigation process. The Government, however, questions the validity of numerous political matters the two organizations felt necessary or in their remit to address the issues they do not concern. It is unwise for the activist organizations to pass judgments on such matters. They would know their report will now be used for political purposes. This attitude is certainly not acceptable. They failed to exercise due diligence.
The Government is also concerned with the ethnic undertones of the report that seem to apportion blame disproportionally while trying to exculpate others. This fuels hatred and makes reconciliation and healing more difficult. Responsibility is individual. All those responsible for the alleged violations will be held accountable.
Sensational and journalistic reporting discredits the bulky report. Simply blaming one group does not serve the cause of human rights and peace. Other weaknesses in the report are also very apparent. They rely largely on alleged testimonies from certain groups. The Government investigation team will examine this report despite such fatal weakness and unfair attack against the gallant forces of ENDF and allied forces.
This report comes after the indefinite humanitarian truce came into effect and aid has started to flow to the Tigray state. The Government expressed hope that this will lay the foundation for genuine efforts to end the conflict peacefully.
As to the statement, the report unfortunately strays into making recommendations unhelpful for any peace effort. Nonetheless, the Government reiterates its commitment to seriously examine all allegations of violations of human rights and humanitarian law and make its findings public.
The April 8/2022
