15/09/2023
great response prof senite
Great question, ! Here are the key points we'd like to address regarding the Commission's mandate:
- Timeline: Currently, the timeline of the Commission covers November 4, 2020. However, we believe it should be extended to encompass a broader range, starting from 2018 and going back as far as 1994.
- Geographic Extent: Initially, the Commission was established to cover areas affected by the war in northern Ethiopia, specifically Tigray, Amhara, and Afar regions. However, due to continued advocacy and increased targeting against Amharas, it was later expanded to include Wollega (Oromia), Metekel (Benishangul-Gumuz), and North Shoa (Amhara). Nonetheless, we advocate for the inclusion of all regions in Ethiopia where genocidal attacks, ethnic cleansing, and targeting have taken place.
- Scope: We believe the Commission's mandate should go beyond investigating war-related atrocities. It should encompass the entire spectrum of atrocities committed against Amharas and other ethnic groups as a result of the ethnic apartheid imposed in the country.
- Budgeting: Currently, only the investigation related to the war has been funded, while the mandate for Metekel, Wollega, and North Shoa has not received any funding. We urge for adequate funding to cover the entire mandate of the Commission.
- Technical Integrity: We strongly emphasize the need for on-the-ground investigations. The issuance of an "advance report" based on remote investigations and the selective gathering of data from biased sources raises concerns. The Commission should conduct impartial investigations and consider all relevant evidence, including the reports submitted by the Global Protection of Ethiopianism (GPE), which documented cases of genocide against Amharas and other ethnic groups.
- Professional Integrity: It is crucial for the Commission to demonstrate professional integrity. Instances of conflict of interest, such as commissioners retweeting pro TPLF (Tigray People's Liberation Front) tweets, are unacceptable. Furthermore, the justification of r**e in the Amhara region as retaliation without conducting proper investigations is deeply troubling and undermines the credibility of the human rights investigation.
- and : We support the renewal of ICHREE (International Commission on Human Rights in Ethiopia) but believe that restructuring is necessary. This should include redefining the scope, timeline, and spatial extent of the Commission's mandate. Additionally, mandatory training for commissioners on the unique ways ethnic apartheid impacts Ethiopian citizens based on their ethnic identity is vital. We must resist superficial solutions and work towards real, comprehensive resolutions that address the 30-year history of corruption, racketeering, and genocide. It is essential to establish a mechanism capable of impartially investigating the situation, free from political manipulation.
Thank you for raising these important issues.