UN review of war crimes in Ethiopia ends

UN review of war crimes in Ethiopia ends
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full screen The UN’s investigation into war crimes in Ethiopia ends. Archive image. Photo: AP/TT

The UN’s investigation into human rights violations in conflict-ridden Ethiopia will end next week, despite warnings of a “predominant risk” of continued abuses.

An extension of the review had required that a country in the UN Human Rights Council had submitted such a request. But that was not the case when the deadline expired on Wednesday.

War between the central government in Addis Ababa and the unofficial government in the Tigray region broke out in November 2020. A peace settlement was only reached last November after two years of widespread atrocities and suspected war crimes by the warring parties.

Almost a year ago, the EU demanded that an international commission investigate suspected war crimes and review developments where reports speak of continuing crimes.

But the EU chose not to ask for an extension of the agreement.

The EU and Ethiopia have simultaneously signed an agreement for 650 million euros in support for Addis Ababa.

– It is time to normalize the relationship step by step and strengthen the partnership with your country, said the EU Commissioner for International Partnership, Jutta Urpilainen, when the agreement was signed in Ethiopia’s capital.

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