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Tigrayans displaced by the conflict
rest in a makeshift tent in the city of Semera, Ethiopia (AFP)
According to a recent
investigation, there is strong evidence that Ethiopian soldiers carried out
crimes of genocide in the Tigray war.
The 120-page document,
released on Tuesday by the US-based New Lines Institute, cites numerous,
reputable, and extensive investigations alleging that Ethiopian soldiers and
their supporters committed "acts constituting the crime of genocide"
during the struggle that lasted from 2020 to 22. Ethiopia should be hauled
before the International Court of Justice, according to the writers.
The Ethiopian military
moved into the country's north in response to a request for autonomy from the
regional government, sparking the start of the Tigray war in November 2020.
Thousands died in the
two-year conflict, which formally came to an end in November 2022. Both sides
accused each other of atrocities, including massacres, rape and arbitrary
detentions, but each strenuously denies responsibility for abuses.
In a report issued last
September, the United Nations said war crimes and crimes against humanity were
still being committed nearly a year after government and Tigrayan regional
forces agreed to end the fighting.
According to the New
Lines Institute assessment, there is now enough proof that Ethiopia committed
crimes against the Genocide Convention, such as systematically murdering civilians
and using famine as a tactic.
According to the
statement, the partnered Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF), the Ethiopian NationalDefense Force (ENDF), and various other regional militias "possessed the
intent to destroy Tigrayans as an ethnic group."
The report lists at least
four acts that qualify as genocide: killing Tigrayans, seriously injuring
Tigrayans physically or psychologically, purposefully subjecting Tigrayans to
living conditions meant to cause their annihilation, and enforcing laws meant
to prevent Tigrayans from having children.
Additionally, the finger
is pointed at social media posts made by “certain individuals” that constitute
public incitement to genocide.
Ethiopia has vehemently
denied that its forces committed war crimes during the battle, accusing them of
trying to evade international scrutiny. Such charges against Eritrea, according
to the country, are slanderous.
Nonetheless, the recently
released analysis, which was produced over the course of two years with the
assistance of numerous legal specialists, supports the UN's conclusions by
asserting that there is a "reasonable basis to believe" that the
nations are accountable for crimes against humanity and/or war crimes.
The writers conclude by
urging the international community to apply pressure to Ethiopia through
bilateral ties and by taking the nation to the International Court of Justice.
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