Several countries, including the United States, expressed concern about reports of widespread arrests by Ethiopia of Tigrayan citizens based on ethnicity in connection with the country’s conflict, urging the government to stop actions they said likely violate international law.
The United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, Denmark, and the Netherlands, quoted reports from Ethiopia’s Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International on widespread arrests of ethnic Tigrayans, including priests, senior citizens, and mothers with children.
The countries said they were “deeply concerned” by the detention of people without charges, adding that a state of emergency announced last month didn’t justify mass detentions.
“Individuals are being arrested and detained without charges or a court hearing and are reportedly being held in inhumane conditions. Many of these acts likely constitute violations of international law and must cease immediately,” the six countries said in a joint statement.
In their letter, they urged Ethiopia’s government to allow international monitors access without hindrance.
Ethiopia’s internal conflict with Tigray’s leadership has killed thousands of civilians, forced millions to flee their homes, and made more than 9 million people dependent on food aid.
As Africa’s second-largest nation and a regional diplomatic heavyweight, Ethiopia was once an ally of Western security forces combating Islamist extremism. An increase in allegations of human rights abuses committed during the conflict has soured relations between the two sides.
In the joint statement, grave concern was expressed over human rights abuses including sexual violence and reports of atrocities committed by all sides.
“It is clear that there is no military solution to this conflict, and we denounce any and all violence against civilians, past, present and future,” the statement said.
Each side in Ethiopia accuses the other of committing atrocities, but they both deny the claims.
In the statement, the six nations urged the parties to the conflict to negotiate a sustainable ceasefire. They reiterated calls from the United States, among others, for Ethiopia’s government and Tigrayan forces to declare a ceasefire so humanitarian aid may enter Tigray.