The government of Ethiopia declared its commitment to investigating crimes committed in the context of the conflict in the northern part of the country and prosecuting perpetrators without any prejudice to their positions and entitlement. The duty of the Inter-Ministerial Taskforce, a body formed by the government to implement the recommendations of the Joint Investigation reports of EHRC and the UN Human Rights body, has precisely been this one, bringing perpetrators to the court of law. Thus far, the Taskforce took considerable steps in fulfilling its objectives. Establishing an Investigation and Prosecution Committee, the Taskforce has been carrying out prosecution proceedings against members of the Army who were implicated to have committed crimes.

Conversely, disregarding this national mechanism, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution establishing an International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia mandated to investigate alleged crimes committed throughout the conflict. The government of Ethiopia protested the decision outrightly for it is an instrument of political pressure. It argued justifiably that the Council should have complemented national efforts rather than undermining them. The working international norm is that international human rights initiatives would complement national mechanisms.

Irrespective of its objection, the government did not stop exploring possible avenues of cooperation with the Council and the Commission to address allegations of human rights abuses. This course of action was taken despite knowing that the resolution establishing the Commission was politically motivated. The government met with members of the Commission on different occasions, including sending to Geneva a high-level delegation led by the Minister of Justice to iron out modalities of cooperation. Again, from July 25 to 29, 2022, the government hosted members of the Commission in Addis and tried to explore mutually acceptable modalities that will not duplicate the works of the UNOHCHR-EHRC joint investigation.

In all of the meetings, the government clarified its position and expressed its will to cooperate with the Commission provided that the commission agrees to focus on events which were not covered by the EHRC and OHCHR Joint Investigation – respect to the principle of complementarity and avoiding unnecessary duplication were Ethiopia’s justified positions.

While this was the government’s sincere position, the International Commission issued a statement on 7 September 2022 encouraging the United Nations Security Council to take actions against the government, proving the government’s right assertion that the Commission’s establishment was politically motivated.

The statement lacks proper appreciation of the conflict triggered by the TPLF in violation of the humanitarian truce. The Commission cannot arrogate to itself a mandate to pronounce on matters of threat to peace and security. The Commission’s ultra vires and blatant call for action against Ethiopia by the Security Council only show its reckless behaviour. The Commission has weaponized human rights for political pressure; exposed its true intentions; and foreclosed all doors of cooperation with the Government.

However, while rejecting the statement made by the Commission, the Government of Ethiopia would like to reiterate its commitment to continue respecting and ensuring respect for Human Rights and bringing violators to justice. The ongoing accountability measures being carried out through the Inter-Ministerial Task Force will be duly and fully implemented as initially promised.

However, the government will not allow its sovereignty to be trampled upon by an entity whose core purpose is to humiliate Ethiopia. The Government of Ethiopia requests Partners to terminate the Commission’s mandate by the end of this year and prevent the damage it is doing.