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The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia rejects, in the strongest terms, dangerous allegations of an ongoing “campaign of genocide” and “ethnic cleansing” in the Tigray Region. Such unsubstantiated allegations neither secure justice for the victims of these alleged crimes nor do they ensure accountability from perpetrators.

The Embassy would like to reassure Ethiopians at home and abroad, its partners, and the wider international community that the Government of Ethiopia remains committed to investigating these very serious allegations and has made its position unequivocally clear concerning human rights violations. No person, including serving soldiers, is above the law. Any serious violations committed against citizens will be thoroughly investigated, and the Government will spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators of alleged crimes against humanity and crimes against the State, to justice.

In line with its responsibility to uphold the rule of law and bring perpetrators to justice, special taskforces comprised of representatives from the Office of the Attorney General and the Federal Police Commission have been deployed to Tigray in recent weeks to carry out investigations on the ground aimed at establishing the facts. Furthermore, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, an independent body, has also been investigating massacres in the Region, including the well-documented Mai Kadra massacre.

The Government also welcomes international technical assistance to undertake further investigations and welcomes the possibility for collaboration on potential joint investigations.

The outcome of these investigations will enable the Government to bring the perpetrators to justice and comprehensively address alleged human rights violations and crimes that have occurred in Tigray.

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For further information, please contact the Press Office: press@ethioembassy.org.uk | 020 7838 3883