Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has played a leading role in the international response to the crisis in Ethiopia, at the UN Security Council, through our bilateral engagements, and within the European Union.  

Since taking up our seat in January 2021, Ireland has been to the fore of the Security Council’s efforts to address the crisis in Ethiopia. We believe that the Security Council has an important role to play, given the impact on national and regional peace and security.  Since the conflict began in November 2020, there have been 14 meetings of the Council on Ethiopia. Ireland has played a leading role on the Council, particularly in negotiating statements that, despite difficult dynamics, have achieved unanimous support in calling for unhindered humanitarian access, a ceasefire and a national dialogue. Ireland has also repeatedly raised the need for accountability for the widespread human rights abuses and atrocities that have been committed by all sides in the conflict.  

Ethiopia was most recently discussed at the Security Council on 14 April, when the focus was on the humanitarian situation.  At that meeting, Ireland called for immediate implementation of the recently agreed humanitarian truce, and delivery of humanitarian assistance to those most in need. 

Putting Ethiopia on the formal agenda of the Council would require support around the table, and the reality is that some members of the Council do not want this. We will nevertheless continue to raise the situation in Ethiopia as necessary. Responding to the acute humanitarian crisis in Tigray and Ethiopia more generally will remain an urgent priority for Ireland during our term on the Council and beyond.

Minister Coveney continues to engage on the situation in Ethiopia with key interlocutors in the region including African Union Special Envoy Obasanjo, whose role in helping find a solution to the conflict we fully support. Minister Coveney met with Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen in February, and stressed the need for full humanitarian access and an end to hostilities; restoration of basic services; and political dialogue. We continue to advocate for an effective response to the situation through a full range of regular and ongoing contacts with Ethiopia, including in Addis Ababa, the Permanent Missions to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, as well as in EU forums in Brussels. 

I welcome some recent positive developments in Ethiopia, including the declaration of a humanitarian truce and ceasefire, and reported willingness by both sides to engage in talks towards finding a lasting peaceful solution to the conflict. This opportunity for peace must be seized. However, despite the increased humanitarian access, we remain concerned that this still falls far short of meeting needs. Essential services such as banking and telecommunications remain cut off – it is critical that these are restored and that secure, unhindered and complete humanitarian access is ensured urgently.

Horrifying reports of gross human rights violations, including widespread sexual violence, have defined the conflict in Tigray. These are unacceptable and must end while perpetrators must be held to account. The publication on 3 November of the findings of the joint investigation by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) into violations of international humanitarian and human rights law committed in Tigray was a vital first step towards accountability. We must see the full implementation of the report’s recommendations and progress on investigations into these appalling crimes, as well as continued attention on ongoing abuses. Ireland also supports the decision of the Human Rights Council in December to establish an international commission of human rights experts on Ethiopia and welcomes the recent appointment of the members of the Commission. Ireland believes this will be complementary to domestic efforts and encourages all parties to cooperate with the Commission and to allow it full unimpeded access to the country. I welcome indications from the Ethiopian government of their willingness to engage with the Commission.