Security Council Press Statement on Ethiopia

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Dinh Quy Dang (Viet Nam):

The members of the Security Council noted with concern the humanitarian situation in the Tigray region, Ethiopia.

The members of the Security Council acknowledged the efforts by the Government of Ethiopia to provide humanitarian assistance and to provide increased humanitarian access.  The members of the Security Council recognized, nevertheless, that humanitarian challenges remain.  They called for a scaled-up humanitarian response and unfettered humanitarian access to all people in need, including in the context of the food security situation.

The members of the Security Council called for a continuation of international relief efforts in a manner consistent with the United Nations guiding principles of humanitarian emergency assistance, including humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.  The members of the Security Council noted that insecurity in Tigray constitutes an impediment to the ongoing humanitarian operations and called for a restoration of normalcy.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern about allegations of human rights violations and abuses, including reports of sexual violence against women and girls in the Tigray region and called for investigations to find those responsible and bring them to justice. They welcomed the joint investigation by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission into alleged human rights violations and abuses.  The members of the Security Council also welcomed the engagement on this issue of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights.

The members of the Security Council stressed the need for full compliance with international law.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong support to regional and subregional efforts and organizations, namely the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and underscored the importance of their continued engagement.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed their strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Ethiopia.