By: Ollus Ndomu
The United Nations Human Rights Council disclosed Friday that it will hold an urgent session on Ethiopia at the height of reports indicating more atrocities in the battleground region, Tigray.
Today’s session comes at the European Union’s request and will among other things discuss the need to investigate violations which human rights groups say may amount to war crimes.
From last year November, conflict has been escalating in Tigray following the deployment of troops into the region by the Ethiopian government on allegations that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front – after its fighters had captured federal military bases.
Last month the UN released a 100-page report detailing grave violations in Tigray, including the killing of civilians, shelling of towns, and widespread sexual violence against women and girls.
Just early this week Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch also detailed more atrocities including torture, forced displacement of large sections of the Tigrayans and mass detentions.
UN aid agencies have repeatedly reported of having limited access to many communities that need humanitarian help as children and the aged continue dying of starvation.
According to the EU, its member states want the UN Human Rights council to appoint a team of international investigators so that justice is served.
Meanwhile, Ethiopian authorities are opposed to the move, describing it as politically motivated.
