AU human rights commission kicks-off Tigray probe

The inquiry team of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights began its investigation on the alleged violations of the international human rights law and international humanitarian law in Ethiopia's conflict-ridden Tigray region.

The commission of inquiry will be required to gather all relevant information so as to determine whether the allegations constitute serious and massive violations of human rights.

It began its work in Gambia's capital Banjul, where the commission is based. It will conduct investigations on the ground and in the neighboring countries when the conditions are met.

The commission will sit for an initial period of three months, which may subsequently be renewed.

It assured the public that it will adhere to the principles of independence, confidentiality, impartiality and neutrality, ensuring the protection of those with whom it collaborates.

"The Commission calls for the collaboration of all stakeholders to enable it to carry out its mission," the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights said in a statement on Wednesday.

On March 4, Michelle Bachelet, the high commissioner for human rights, stressed the urgent need for an objective, independent assessment of the facts on the ground regarding the persistent, credible reports of grave violations in Tigray.

Bachelet said UN had received reports of sexual and gender-based violence, extrajudicial killings, widespread destruction and looting of public and private property.

She said the UN human rights office corroborated information about some of the incidents that occurred in November, which indicated indiscriminate shelling in Mekelle, Humera and Adigrat towns in Tigray region, and reports of grave human rights violations and abuses in Axum, and in Dengelat in central Tigray by Eritrean armed forces, including mass killings.

She said a preliminary analysis of the information signaled that serious violations of international law, which may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, may have been committed by multiple parties to the conflict.

The UN human rights office named the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, the Tigray People's Liberation Front, Eritrean armed forces, and Amhara Regional Forces and affiliated militia as culprits.

On November 4, 2020, the regional party of Tigray allegedly attacked the Northern Command of Ethiopia's National Defense Force in Mekelle, prompting a military offensive from the government of Ethiopia. The move led to breaking out of conflict in the northern part of the country.