The impact of Tigray’s airstrikes on civilians ‘absolutely shocking’: UN rights chief |
He warned that the latest brutal airstrikes risk worsening the already devastating impact the conflict is having on civilians.
“Since 31 August we have received many reports of civilian casualties and destruction of civilian objects due to airstrikes and artillery attacks in Tigray – disruptions to communication make it even more difficult to verify reports, but it is clear that the toll on citizens is absolutely staggering,” said Mr. Türk.
The command assistant said
Ethiopian Government forces and Tigray forces have been at war for two years. There was a lull in fighting following a five-month humanitarian intervention, announced at the end of March, but fighting has flared up again.
An official with the International Rescue Committee, a non-governmental organization, was among those killed in the recent incidents.
The aid worker is part of a team providing humanitarian aid to women and children. Their deaths are “completely unacceptable”, said Mr. Türk.
“I am still very troubled by them serious risk of escalation in light of the continued mobilization of soldiers and fighters by various groups to the conflict,” he added.
Attacks can be war crimes
The UN rights chief called on warring parties to end their conflict and work towards peace.
He reminded them of their responsibility to respect international human rights law, and international customary law, including by taking measures to protect civilians and allow aid workers to find people in need.
“Under international law, indiscriminate attacks or deliberate attacks targeting civilians or civilian objects are war crimes,” Mr. Türk said.
It also emphasized the need to support efforts to ensure accountability for serious violations and abuses of international law committed during the conflict.
The new High Commissioner
Mr. Türk was appointed as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in September, becoming the eighth person to hold the position.
The Austrian doctor has some three years of experience in all continents in human rights, international law and security, including with the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.
The new rights chief took office on Monday, stressing that he “will always be guided – first and foremost – by the impact our work has on the people we serve.”
He succeeds the twice-elected former president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, who served as High Commissioner from 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2022.
