HRC55 - Joint Statement on the importance of transitional justice and accountability in Ethiopia
03.04.2024
Mr President,
I am making this statement on behalf of a group of 44 countries.
During the 54th session of the Council, the Government of Ethiopia committed to bring forward a solid transitional justice policy framework by November 2023.
Meanwhile, we have taken note of Ethiopia’s pledge on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the UDHR; the report of the Ethiopian Transitional Justice Expert Group; and the recent validation workshops.
We welcome the Government’s stated commitment, and urge the Government to swiftly establish a policy framework, based on the recommendations by the Expert Group, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the OHCHR.
Ethiopia’s victims deserve justice. Credible transitional justice and accountability processes are crucial to ensuring peace and reconciliation. The policy framework should be consistent with international human rights law, include an international component and ensure genuine accountability, truth-seeking, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence.
Participation of victims and prioritizing their needs is equally essential. This includes providing victim and witness protection, psychosocial assistance, health services, and socioeconomic support.
Robust independent, impartial mechanisms are needed to implement the policy. We encourage introducing implementing legislation promptly.
If the proposal is to go farther back in time, we recommend prioritizing recent events.
We welcome the continued commitment of the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray Interim Regional Administration to consolidate the peace process and implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. At the same time, we remain seriously concerned about on-going violence and human rights violations in the Amhara and Oromia regions. The extension of the State of Emergency in Amhara is also cause for concern.
We call on all parties to pursue peace through dialogue and to participate in the National Dialogue process.
Lastly, we invite the High Commissioner to keep the Council updated on the situation in Ethiopia, the assistance he is providing and the implementation of the recommendations of the Joint Investigative Team and the ICHREE.
We encourage Ethiopia to continue to engage OHCHR on its path of transitional justice, lasting peace, and prosperity.
Thank you.
List of signatories:
Albania
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Canada
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Montenegro
Netherlands
New Zealand
North Macedonia
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United States of America