UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

55^th session

Joint Statement

Mr President,

I am making this statement on behalf of a group of 44 countries.

During the 54^th session of the Council, the Government of Ethiopia committed to bring forward a solid transitional justice policy framework by November 2023.

Meanwhile, we have taken note of Ethiopia’s pledge on the occasion of the 75^th anniversary of the UDHR; the report of the Ethiopian Transitional Justice Expert Group; and the recent validation workshops.

We welcome the Government’s stated commitment, and urge the Government to swiftly establish a policy framework, based on the recommendations by the Expert Group, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the OHCHR.

Ethiopia’s victims deserve justice. Credible transitional justice and accountability processes are crucial to ensuring peace and reconciliation. The policy framework should be consistent with international human rights law, include an international component and ensure genuine accountability, truth-seeking, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence.

Participation of victims and prioritizing their needs is equally essential. This includes providing victim and witness protection, psychosocial assistance, health services, and socioeconomic support.

Robust independent, impartial mechanisms are needed to implement the policy. We encourage introducing implementing legislation promptly.

If the proposal is to go farther back in time, we recommend prioritizing recent events.

We welcome the continued commitment of the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray Interim Regional Administration to consolidate the peace process and implement the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. At the same time, we remain seriously concerned about on-going violence and human rights violations in the Amhara and Oromia regions. The extension of the State of Emergency in Amhara is also cause for concern.

We call on all parties to pursue peace through dialogue and to participate in the National Dialogue process.

Lastly, we invite the High Commissioner to keep the Council updated on the situation in Ethiopia, the assistance he is providing and the implementation of the recommendations of the Joint Investigative Team and the ICHREE.

We encourage Ethiopia to continue to engage OHCHR on its path of transitional justice, lasting peace, and prosperity.

Thank you.

List of signatories:

1. Albania
2. Australia
3. Austria
4. Belgium
5. Bulgaria
6. Canada
7. Costa Rica
8. Croatia
9. Cyprus
10. Czech Republic
11. Denmark
12. Estonia
13. Finland
14. France
15. Georgia
16. Germany
17. Greece
18. Hungary
19. Iceland
20. Ireland
21. Italy
22. Latvia
23. Liechtenstein
24. Lithuania
25. Luxembourg
26. Malta
27. Moldova
28. Montenegro
29. Netherlands
30. New Zealand
31. North Macedonia
32. Norway
33. Poland
34. Portugal
35. Romania
36. San Marino
37. Slovakia
38. Slovenia
39. Spain
40. Sweden
41. Switzerland
42. Ukraine
43. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
44. United States of America