Interactive Dialogue with the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
As Delivered by Ambassador Michèle Taylor
Human Rights Council – 51st Session
Thank you, Mr. President.
Thank you, members of the commission, for your presentation.
We recognize that there are ongoing discussions and call on the Government of Ethiopia to grant you full access so that you can implement the mandate from this Council.
The United States is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in northern Ethiopia, exacerbated by Eritrea’s re-entry into the conflict.
We strongly condemn violence harming civilians by all parties, and are deeply disturbed by heartbreaking reports of unlawful killing, rape, and displacement.
We welcome the detainee releases to date, but we remain concerned about reports of ongoing arbitrary detentions based on ethnicity.
We are also concerned by the ongoing denial of humanitarian assistance, the seizure of humanitarian materials for military use, and Internet shutdowns and other restrictions on freedom of expression on and offline, including for members of the press. We call for the resumption of essential services in conflict-affected areas.
We welcome the government’s initial commitments to hold abusers accountable, and we call for comprehensive, inclusive, and transparent transitional justice processes. An inclusive political dialogue is urgently needed to heal the country’s divisions and to provide peace and security.
Question: Commission members, what steps should the Government of Ethiopia take toward comprehensive transitional justice and accountability for human rights abuses and violations?
I thank you.
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