HRC55 – Joint Statement on the importance of transitional justice and accountability in Ethiopia – European External Action Service 11:06 

Delegation of the European Union to the UN and other international organisations in Geneva

 03.04.2024  

Geneva

 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

55th session

Joint Statement

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:

  1. Albania
  2. Australia
  3. Austria
  4. Belgium
  5. Bulgaria
  6. Canada
  7. Costa Rica
  8. Croatia
  9. Cyprus
  10. Czech Republic
  11. Denmark
  12. Estonia
  13. Finland
  14. France
  15. Georgia
  16. Germany
  17. Greece
  18. Hungary
  19. Iceland
  20. Ireland
  21. Italy
  22. Latvia
  23. Liechtenstein
  24. Lithuania
  25. Luxembourg
  26. Malta
  27. Moldova
  28. Montenegro
  29. Netherlands
  30. New Zealand
  31. North Macedonia
  32. Norway
  33. Poland
  34. Portugal
  35. Romania
  36. San Marino
  37. Slovakia
  38. Slovenia
  39. Spain
  40. Sweden
  41. Switzerland
  42. Ukraine
  43. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
  44. United States of America