HRC63 - Joint Statement - Item 2 Joint Statement on the human rights situation in Ethiopia

HRC63, item 2 General Debate

Joint Statement on the human rights situation in Ethiopia

8 September 2026

Delivered by Ambassador Rytis Paulauskas, Permanent Representative of Lithuania

Mr/Ms (Vice) President,

I am making this statement on behalf of a group of 41 countries. We appreciate Ethiopia’s continued engagement with UN human rights mechanisms, including as a Vice-President of this Council.

We welcome the holding of the General elections on 1 June 2026, which was a considerable organisational undertaking. We commend the efforts of the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE), election workers, political parties, candidates, and civil society actors for their contributions. At the same time, we hope that all constituencies that were unable to hold elections will be given the opportunity to do so.

We also welcome the conclusion of the National Dialogue Plenary on 22 August 2026, which marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to address long-standing political, social and institutional challenges through dialogue. We underline the importance of ensuring inclusive participation, free media and an open civic space, while safeguarding the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. Civil society, human rights defenders, media and journalists must be fully able to play their roles in consolidating sustainable peace and justice in the country.

We are following developments in the Tigray Regional State with great concern. A new military confrontation in Tigray would have severe consequences for a region already facing drought and significant humanitarian needs. We call for immediate de-escalation and avoidance of any actions that jeopardise the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, signed in Pretoria in November 2022. Another devastating conflict should be avoided at any cost and differences between parties should be resolved via political dialogue. We fully support the AU-led mediation process and welcome renewed consultations by AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, former President Obasanjo, including his recent visit to Ethiopia and his meetings in Addis Ababa and Mekelle.

We are also concerned about the ongoing developments in Oromia and in particular Amhara regions. We urge all parties to end human rights violations and abuses and fully respect international humanitarian law, including by ensuring the protection of civilians,  among them humanitarian and frontline workers. Accountability must be ensured for all victims and survivors of grave human rights violations and abuses, as well as for violations of international humanitarian law, including the killing of humanitarian workers.

We look forward to the resumption of the Transitional Justice process, in line with international standards. Comprehensive, credible and victim-centred transitional justice and accountability for all violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights law are crucial for the victims and survivors of conflict, but also for ensuring lasting peace and reconciliation in the country.

We encourage the Government of Ethiopia to take advantage to the fullest extent of the technical assistance available in the Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) in the country, and call on the Office to continue to monitor the situation and report to this Council.

We also encourage the Government to implement the recommendations of the 2023 joint report of OHCHR and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) as well the recommendations in the OHCHR’s report in 2024.

Thank you.