Tigray Conflict: Human Rights Impact

Dec 19, 2024

Lecture Notes: Tigray Conflict - Human Rights Watch

Overview of the Conflict

  • Start Date: November 2020
  • Parties Involved:
    • Ethiopian government
    • Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF)
    • Ethiopian federal forces
    • Regional militias
    • Eritrean armed forces

Impact on Civilian Infrastructure

  • Damage: Shelling, looting, and destruction of civilian structures
  • Affected Structures: Hospitals, schools, factories, businesses

Humanitarian Crisis

  • Over two million people displaced
  • Thousands fled into Sudan
  • At least 2.3 million people in need of assistance

Reports and Findings

UN Food Award and Wartime Abuses (January 30, 2024)

  • Key Point: Recognition of Ethiopia’s premier amid ongoing abuses

Atrocities and Ceasefire (November 2, 2023)

  • Key Point: Atrocities continue despite ceasefire

EU and Ethiopian Victims (October 4, 2023)

  • Key Point: EU fails to address victims' needs

Ethnic Cleansing Under Truce (June 1, 2023)

  • Key Point: Ongoing ethnic cleansing in Western Tigray
  • Issues: Lack of accountability for torture and forced expulsions

Crackdown on Draft Evaders (February 9, 2023)

  • Country: Eritrea
  • Issue: Collective punishment of families

Civilians in Western Oromia (August 31, 2022)

  • Issue: Civilians unprotected, massacre of Amharas

Crimes Against Humanity (April 6, 2022)

  • Focus: Ethnic cleansing in Western Tigray

International Response

UN Rights Body Actions

  • September 28, 2023: Call to extend Ethiopia investigations
  • September 7, 2023: Renew the mandate of ICHREE
  • Concerns: Premature termination of Commission of Inquiry

EU's Role

  • August 28, 2023: EU's stance on justice in Ethiopia questioned

Related News and Commentary

  • Justice for International Crimes (September 4, 2023): Discussion on accountability
  • Threats to Terminate Human Rights Mandate (February 28, 2023): Issues with international mandate

Key Personalities

  • Laetitia Bader: Director, Horn of Africa
  • Carine Kaneza Nantulya: Deputy Africa Director

Media and Images

  • Various images depicting refugees, displaced people, and damaged infrastructure during the conflict

Additional Resources

  • Reports: Regular publications from Human Rights Watch on ongoing issues
  • Videos: Documentation of property destruction and humanitarian impact

Conclusion

The Tigray conflict has had severe humanitarian, infrastructural, and social impacts, with ongoing ethnic tensions and international criticism of handling the crisis.