Ethiopia reiterates commitment to create new humanitarian routes both by air, land transport

Addis Ababa, October 19, 2022 (FBC) – The Permanent Mission of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland has come across a statement released by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on 18 October 2022.

The Permanent Mission would have preferred to meet and brief the new High Commissioner before he opted to start his work with a press release against Ethiopia. We hope this does not herald a change of direction for the partnership Ethiopia enjoyed with the OHCHR.

The statement released on 18 October 2022 attributes civilians’ deaths while admitting that these allegations are not verified.

The Government of Ethiopia has expressed its deep regrets for any unfortunate harm that might have happened to civilians and humanitarian workers, the Permanent Mission said in a statement.

It is committed to investigating any such incidences and taking corrective measures. It must be clear that the allegation that ‘the toll is staggering’ is an unnecessary exaggeration. We hope this will not become a pattern under the new High Commissioner.

The ENDF has taken the maximum care and succeeded in protecting civilians from harm by avoiding fighting in urban areas.

The Government of Ethiopia is committed to expediting aid delivery to all in need of assistance, including by creating new routes for humanitarian delivery, both by air and land transport.

It is committed to the African Union-led efforts to find a lasting solution to the conflict in northern Ethiopia. It is also committed to ensuring accountability for any inadvertent violations of human rights and humanitarian law during this conflict. We hope to continue to work together with the OHCHR in this endeavor.

The Permanent Mission stands ready to explain in detail the human rights situation on the ground and the national endeavours underway following recent encouraging developments.

The Permanent Mission of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia welcomes the new High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk and looks forward to working with his office and hope to build productive relations.