Written answers

Thursday, 10 December 2020

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Foreign Conflicts

Photo of Paul MurphyPaul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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286. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the recent outbreak of war between Eritrea and Tigray; the position of the Government on the events taking place in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Tigray; his views on reports of mistreatment of refugees and civilians by the Eritrean Government; the steps Ireland is taking in the EU and at the UN to ensure that humanitarian and food supplies are not cut off from the civilian populations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42610/20]

Photo of Colm BrophyColm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I remain deeply concerned by the ongoing armed conflict between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the regional authorities in Tigray, including reports of atrocities and targeting of ethnic groups. There are credible allegations of mass casualties and of human rights abuses, although the ongoing communications blackout has made it very difficult to verify information. 

Although Prime Minister Abuy has declared the end of the offensive in Tigray, there are reports that the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has gone into hiding.  The risk of insurgency, combined with ethnic profiling, high levels of displacement and humanitarian need, all suggest this crisis is far from over. Reports of the forcible return of Eritrean refugees in Tigray to Eritrea are extremely worrying.

Ireland actively supports the EU, UN and wider efforts to de-escalate the situation, including through engagement with the African Union. I welcome the recent visit of EU Commissioner Lenarcic to Ethiopia and Sudan.  While the UN achieved agreement on humanitarian access to Tigray, it only allows access to areas controlled by Government.  Humanitarian access to all affected areas is essential.

Minister Coveney has called on all parties to cease hostilities, respect international humanitarian law, and begin dialogue. In contacts, including with key African leaders, he has also stressed the need for unconditional, unrestricted access for humanitarian actors to affected areas and discussed ways to support regional efforts to find a lasting solution to the crisis.

My Department is preparing a €2.4 million package of funding to support the humanitarian response in Tigray including €1.4 million to Irish and other NGOs within Tigray, €500,000 to UNHCR to support the refugee response in neighbouring Sudan and €500,000 worth of humanitarian stocks. 

The UN Security Council held informal talks on the crisis on 23 November. In the context of our upcoming tenure on the UN Security Council, Ireland will continue to monitor the situation in Ethiopia closely and advocate for a peaceful resolution to the current conflict, including through the Embassy of Ireland in Addis Ababa.

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