UN Calls for End to 'Horrific' Sexual Violence in Ethiopia's Tigray

Dozens of United Nations (UN) senior officials called for an end to indiscriminate and targeted attacks against civilians in the Ethiopian Tigray region, after reports of "other horrific forms of sexual and physical violence.”

 

In a joint statement, the officials, including U.N. aid Chief Mark Lowcock, U.N. High commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet and U.N. High Commissioner for Refugee Filippo Grandi, said that the warring parties should protect civilians from human rights violations in the region, condemn sexual violence and hold the perpetrators accountable, according to Reuters.

"It is imperative that an independent investigation into conflict-related sexual violence be launched in the Tigray region, with the participation of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights," the statement added.

“It is essential that an independent investigation into conflict-related sexual violence be launched in Tigray, with the involvement of the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,” the statement said.

 

The U.N. has raised concerns about the atrocities being committed in the region, while US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken described the crimes being committed in the region as ethnic cleansing. Ethiopia has rejected Blinken’s allegation.