Ethiopian, Eritrean officials accused of war crimes
ADDIS ABABA: Eight survivors of the devastating conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region have accused 12 high-ranking Ethiopian and Eritrean civilian and military officials of war crimes and crimes against humanity, the legal rights group representing them said on Monday.
The Tigray region, bordering Eritrea, endured a war between 2020 and 2022 that claimed up to 600,000 lives, according to some estimates.
The conflict pitted Tigray People's Liberation Front rebels against federal Ethiopian forces, supported by local militias and the Eritrean army.
Both sides were accused of committing atrocities, with the government sealing off Tigray for most of the war and restricting humanitarian aid to the region.
Eight survivors 'have filed a groundbreaking criminal complaint with the German Federal Public Prosecutor, alleging that 12 senior Ethiopian and Eritrean government officials and military officers committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the conflict,' nonprofit Legal Action Worldwide said in a statement.
The Swiss-based organization did not disclose the identities of those accused in the filing, submitted in 2024 but announced last week.
A LAW spokesperson said on Monday they could not 'confirm or deny' whether Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed or Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki were mentioned.
The case is being filed in Germany under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows the prosecution of crimes regardless of where they were committed, as they violate international law.
'We are asking the German authorities to open a criminal investigation and to issue arrest warrants for 12 suspects,' Nick Leddy, head of LAW's strategic litigation department and a former prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, told AFP.
He said they would not be naming the suspects as it could 'jeopardize the chances of their arrest.'
The identities of the plaintiffs have not been made public either. 'I've lost two of the most important people in my life in this war: my younger brother and my mom,' LAW quoted one of them as saying.
'The suffering and agony continues.'
'Tigrayans are still dying every day,' they added, saying justice must be brought to those 'who orchestrated and engineered these unimaginable crimes.'
Allegations of massacres, mass rapes, and other atrocities by all sides marked the two-year conflict. In 2022, a United Nations commission said it had 'reasonable grounds to believe that, in several instances, these violations amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.'
Anna Oehmichen, a lawyer involved in the case, said the 'gravity of the crimes in Tigray is dramatic.'
It requires investigation and prosecution.
She said: 'To put an end to the ongoing violations of international law and to prevent other heads of state from committing similarly devastating crimes.'
Although a peace agreement was signed in November 2022, around 1 million of the region's pre-war population of 6 million remain displaced.
In recent weeks, a rift within the TPLF has reignited fears of renewed conflict.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leaders
a day ago
- Leaders
Madleen Aid Ship Nears Gaza after Reaching Egyptian Waters
Madleen Aid Ship, the sailing boat of Freedom Flotilla Coalition, has reached the Egyptian coast and is currently nearing Gaza shore, according to AFP. 'We are now sailing off the Egyptian coast,' German human rights activist Yasemin Acar told AFP. Reaching Egyptian Coast The International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza, a member organization of the Flotilla Coalition, stated that the ship had entered Egyptian waters. On June 1, the aid ship set out from the Sicilian port of Catania in southern Italy on a mission to break 'Israel's siege' of the devastated territory, organizers said. Madleen aid ship The activists stated that they will try to reach the shores of Gaza and deliver some aids to Palestinians who are starving due to Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid. They assured that they remain in contact with international legal and human rights bodies to ensure the safety of the participating activists. Israeli Response On Friday, Israeli military sources said that Israel would send a 'direct message' to Madleen not to enter Gaza, according to The Jerusalem Post. If those on board 'defy orders or provoke' the Israeli army, they may be arrested and transferred to Ashdod port for their deportation. Greta Thunberg on Board Greta Thunberg Operated by activist group Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the crew includes Climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists. 'We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying,' Thunberg said. The mission also seeks to raise 'international awareness' over the ongoing humanitarian crisis. 'Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity. And no matter how dangerous this mission is, it's not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the live-streamed genocide,' she added. Wide Participation Greta Thunberg and other activists Interestingly, 'Game of Thrones' actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament who is of Palestinian descent joined the crew. Israel has previously banned Hassan from entering due to her obvious opposition to the Israeli war on Gaza. 'We are breaking the siege of Gaza by sea, but that's part of a broader strategy of mobilizations that will also attempt to break the siege by land,' said activist Thiago Avila. Related Topics: Israel to Block Entry of Madleen Aid Ship Heading to Gaza Aid Ship Sails to Gaza with Greta Thunberg on Board Gaza Marks Eid Al-Adha with Looming Famine, Rising Violence Short link : Post Views: 1
Leaders
4 days ago
- Leaders
Germany Urges Israel to Increase Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
In a significant diplomatic exchange, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Saar, to facilitate increased humanitarian aid into Gaza. This statement came during a press conference held in Berlin on Thursday, where Wadephul expressed deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. Call for Humanitarian Aid Wadephul emphasized the urgent need for Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. He highlighted the dire conditions faced by civilians, stressing that humanitarian assistance is crucial for alleviating suffering. The German Foreign Minister's remarks reflect a growing international concern regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where many residents struggle to access basic necessities. In addition to his call for increased aid, Wadephul criticized the Israeli government's recent announcement regarding the establishment of 22 new settlements in the West Bank. He argued that these settlements exacerbate tensions and hinder the peace process. Wadephul's comments resonate with many who advocate for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Germany's Commitment to Israel's Defense Despite his criticisms, Wadephul reaffirmed Germany's commitment to supporting Israel's right to defend itself. He stated that Germany would continue to deliver weapons to Israel, emphasizing the importance of security in the region. This dual approach highlights Germany's complex relationship with Israel, balancing humanitarian concerns with defense commitments. The exchange between Wadephul and Saar underscores the ongoing challenges in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As Germany calls for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, the international community watches closely. The hope remains that constructive dialogue can lead to improved conditions for civilians and a path toward lasting peace. Short link : Post Views: 20 Related Stories
Saudi Gazette
5 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Boeing-DOJ deal 'repugnant', says lawyer for victims' families
NEW YORK — A lawyer for 16 families of victims of a fatal Boeing 737 Max crash, has told the BBC that a deal between the firm and the US Justice Department (DOJ) is "morally repugnant". Boeing said it agreed to pay $1.1bn (£811.5m) to avoid prosecution over two crashes that killed 346 people, in a filing on Wednesday. Sanjiv Singh, counsel for family members of some of the victims of a 2018 crash in Indonesia, says the deal allows the firm to "sidestep true criminal accountability". Boeing has previously said: "We are deeply sorry for their losses, and remain committed to honoring their loved ones' memories by pressing forward with the broad and deep changes to our company". The deal includes the aviation giant paying $444.5m to families of crash victims. It will also put $455m towards improving its compliance, safety and quality programmes. Under the deal, Boeing also agreed to pay a criminal penalty of $487.2m, although half of that was already paid in 2021."Boeing is committed to complying with its obligations under this resolution, which include a substantial additional fine and commitments to further institutional improvements and investments," said a company the deal is approved by a federal judge the plane maker will avoid a criminal fraud trial."The [DOJ] agreed that it will not further criminally prosecute the company", said Boeing in a a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) BBC has contacted the DOJ to request further comment on the 737 Max aircraft crashed in separate but almost identical accidents that killed 346 October 2018, all 189 people on a Lion Air flight died after the aircraft crashed into the Java Sea 13 minutes after take-off from Jakarta, March 2019, an Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed six minutes after take-off from the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. All 157 people on-board were killed. Both crashes were linked to faulty flight control 2021, Boeing agreed to settle US fraud charges and admitted deception over hiding information from safety officials about the design of its 737 Max of the victims will have the chance to appeal this latest deal when it is considered by a federal says the latest agreement has provoked "visceral outrage" from his clients and believes the current payout is insufficient."If you look at that $1.1bn, it's actually like Boeing paying $10 to escape criminal liability. It's as if they got a misdemeanor ticket or a parking ticket." — BBC
