The African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Commission), meeting at its 67thOrdinary Session held virtually from 13 November to 03 December 2020;
Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples' rights in Africa under Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (the African Charter);
Bearing in mind the obligations of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (the Federal Government) under the African Charter and other relevant human rights instruments to which it is a party;
Considering Article 1 of the African Charter, which calls upon States Parties to adopt legislative or other measures to give effect to the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the African Charter, the African Union Conventionfor the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala Convention)and the OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugees in Africa;
Recalling Resolutions ACHPR/Res.92(XXXVIII) 05, ACHPR/Res.218(LI) 2012, ACHPR/Res.356(LIX) 2016 and ACHPR/Res.429(LXV) 2019 on the human rights situation in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (Ethiopia);
Recallingthe Commission’s Press Release on the socio-political crisis in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia issued on 09 November 2020and the Commission’s Press Release on the situation in Ethiopia issued on 26 November 2020;
Concerned about the ongoing conflict in the Tigray region which has led to the forced displacement of more than 30,000 Ethiopians to Sudan as well as the threat of a serious humanitarian crisis if the situation is not addressed;
Concerned further by the threats to the safety, security, well-being and livelihood of the people in the Tigray region as well as the loss of life, destruction of private property and public infrastructure as the conflict is unfolding;
Takes note of the establishment by the Federal Government of an interim administration for the Tigray region to ensure transition until the organization of regional elections, and the organization of two fact-finding missions to assess the situation on the ground and facilitate the supply of food and medical items; and
Welcomes the steps taken by the Federal Government to work with relevant stakeholders in order to facilitate humanitarian action;
The African Commission:
1. Condemnsthe use of force by the Federal Government in the Tigray region;
2. Calls upon the Federal Government to:
a. ensure that humanitarian aid is swiftly provided to the displaced persons and civilians in the conflict areas;
b. conduct prompt, impartial and effective investigations into the loss of life of civilians and other human rights violations committed during the armed conflict, hold the perpetrators accountable and provide appropriate and adequate reparations to the victims and their families;
c. respect the fair trial rights of people arrested and detained in relation to the conflict;
d. take all necessary measures to ensure that the economic life of the Tigray region is restored so as to mitigate a dire socio-economic crisis on the population in that region;
e. ensure the protection of the human rights of all Ethiopians, especially in the Tigray region in accordance with the regional and international human rights instruments ratified by Ethiopia;
f. engage in a dialogue with all the stakeholders concerned with a view to putting a definitive end to the armed conflict;and
g. take all the necessary steps to achieve lasting peace, security and stability in Ethiopia as a whole.
3. Reminds all parties (the Federal Government, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and other militia groups) of their responsibilities for the safety of civilians and to avoid civilian populated areas during this period of the conflict.
Done virtually, on 03 December 2020
