Tuesday, 15th June 2021
1. The A-3+1, namely Niger, Tunisia, Kenya, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, share in the concern for the humanitarian needs faced by 17.1 million Ethiopians including people in the Tigray region.
2. We call for enhanced humanitarian relief efforts that are consistent with the UN’s guiding principles on humanitarian emergency assistance, including humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.
3. We are concerned at reports of human rights violations and abuses, including reports of sexual violence against women and girls.
4. We support the declared commitment by the Government of Ethiopia to conduct thorough investigations into these atrocities and to bring to account those found responsible.
5. Further, we recall the AU Peace and Security Council meeting at the heads of State and Government level on 9th March that led to the joint investigations into human rights violations and abuses by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which will engage the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights.
6. It is notable that this important step arose from Ethiopia’s positive engagement with Africa.
7. We look forward to that report as a basis of offering a path to justice for victims and survivors.
8. Consideration of any action by the Security Council must take into account the reality that Ethiopia is finalizing preparations for an election that is barely a week away.
9. Elections all over the world are undertakings that require prudence and careful handing.
10. We are profoundly concerned that acting without the right basis can lead to an even greater catastrophe for the people of Ethiopia and the region.
11. We urge the Government of Ethiopia to redouble its humanitarian efforts and to take available steps, in line with agreed international principles, to enhance access to aid deliveries.
12. At this stage, Ethiopia needs assistance, and acknowledgement, of its efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs. We call for humanitarian organizations to do more to scale up their operations. We also encourage donors to heed the call for more resources in the understanding that their contributions are a crucial help to the people and in rebuilding the region.
13. We reaffirm our strong commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Ethiopia and we stress the need for full compliance with international law, including the unfettered humanitarian access to all people in need.
14. We wish the people of Ethiopia a peaceful election that can serve as the basis for peace, harmony and prosperity, and a return to dialogue and reconciliation in the country.
We call on all neighboring states and regional organizations to continue to make every effort to assist Ethiopia during this profoundly difficult period