3 April 2024

Mr President,

I am making this statement on behalf of a group of 43 countries.

During the 54th session of the Human Rights 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 strong pledge on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the UDHR in December 2023; the report published by the Ethiopian Transitional Justice Expert Group mid-January; 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 and survivors deserve justice. Credible transitional justice and accountability processes are crucial to ensuring lasting peace and reconciliation. The policy framework should be consistent with regional and 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 and rights is equally essential. This includes providing strong victim and witness protection, psychosocial assistance, health services, and socioeconomic support.

Robust independent, impartial and transparent mechanisms are needed to implement the policy, preserve evidence, conduct investigations into all allegations of human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law and, as appropriate, prosecute those responsible. Detailed information on how each mechanism will be created and what the next steps are is key for the success of the policy framework. We encourage introducing implementing legislation promptly.

If the proposal is to go farther back in time, we recommend prioritizing recent events, including in northern Ethiopia.

Mr. President,

We welcome the continued commitment of the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray Interim Regional Administration to consolidate the peace process and implement the outstanding provisions of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. At the same time, we remain seriously concerned about on-going violence and reports of human rights violations and abuses 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 as well as to participate in what must be a credible and inclusive National Dialogue process.

Lastly, we invite the High Commissioner to keep the Council updated on the human rights situation in Ethiopia, the assistance his Office is providing and the implementation of the recommendations of the Joint Investigative Team and the ICHREE.

We encourage Ethiopia to continue to engage OHCHR and international experts on its path of transitional justice, lasting peace, and prosperity.

Thank you.