Interactive Dialogue with the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia
Statement Delivered by Ambassador Michèle Taylor
UN Human Rights Council, 52nd Session
Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Commissioners.
We welcome the tremendous progress since the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement by the Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF, including improved humanitarian access, delivery of essential services, and respect for human rights.
We appreciate the Government of Ethiopia’s invitations to OHCHR and to EHRC to deploy international human rights monitors to conflict-affected areas, and its invitation to international experts to advise in the development of a comprehensive transitional justice policy.
We look forward to the Government’s cooperation with both bodies as well as with the international community; we urge the GOE to ensure unhindered access to the monitoring teams.
Yesterday, the U.S. Secretary of State announced his determination that all parties to the conflict in northern Ethiopia committed atrocity crimes.
An acknowledgment of the atrocity crimes that have been committed in the recent conflict is critical to supporting transitional justice efforts and enabling a lasting peace. We applaud the Government’s commitment to conduct broad public consultations to ensure its transitional justice policy reflects international best practices and the views of the Ethiopian people, and is fully genuine, inclusive, credible, and comprehensive.
We urge continued progress on human rights, justice, and accountability in Ethiopia beyond the Commission’s final report, which will be presented at HRC 54.
How can the Commission offer its transitional justice expertise to the Government as it fulfills its commitments outlined in the Agreement? I thank you.
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