YouSaid · the spoken record

Taye Atskeselassie Amde

lines on the record: 83
first: 2020-04-28
most recent: 2021-05-25
sittings or episodes: 11
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“In addition, it will make the utmost effort to protect its public from all vices, including the attacks from domestic criminal groups that intend to destabilize the nation. We uphold our obligations under national and international laws. Further, we will realize our obligation for justice and accountability to reign over perpetrators of crimes, despite their status and affiliation. In this regard, we applaud the help we received to fill in the gap in the provision of basic needs for our citizens.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“The Government of Ethiopia resents the statements and conduct of humanitarian actors and officials that have gone to great lengths to advance a political cause at the expense of the rights and well-being of people and the sovereignty and image of a sovereign nation. The past few months have given us a practical lesson on how much work has to be done to ensure that humanitarian work adheres to the core principles enshrined in General Assembly resolution 46/182. It is of critical importance that the Council exercise due care to prevent the damage that may be caused by politically motivated reports and analysis coming from some humanitarian actors and officials. As a State with a long history of Government and independent existence, Ethiopia will take the measures necessary to protect its unity and territorial integrity.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“The positions being reflected by some delegations, including in this Council, characterizing the situation in Ethiopia as a subject matter for international forums or equating the Government of Ethiopia with a criminal terrorist group, are highly regrettable. Nor does this approach help efforts to ensure cooperation to reach innocent citizens trapped in a difficult situation. It is also pivotal for humanitarian actors, including United Nations agencies, to operate on the basis of humanity, neutrality and impartiality. Humanitarian actors must respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of States.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“The Government of Ethiopia has an inherent responsibility to preserve the unity and sovereign integrity of the Ethiopian State. Similarly, the Government has an obligation to protect its citizens from any internal or external threat against their lives or well-being. Through the law-enforcement operation against a criminal terrorist group, the Government of Ethiopia is discharging the innate responsibility that any sovereign country would undertake. This Council does not need a reminder of measures taken by Member States against what they consider to be threats located across the seas.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“Let me now turn to a challenge we faced in Ethiopia, mentioned both by Council members and in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2021/423). Since November 2020, the Government of Ethiopia has been engaged in a law-enforcement operation to safeguard the constitutional order. The attack on the Ethiopian National Defense Forces posed a grave threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ethiopian State. I appreciate the different forms of sentiments expressed by members of the Council. I also appreciate the cooperation availed to my Government in the field of humanitarian assistance. However, I take this opportunity to relay our concern on the overly politicized approach being taken over what is an internal affair of a State Member of the United Nations.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“In considering these organized and excessively armed crimes, the international system ought to look beyond the immediate inclinations adverse to the stance of national Governments, especially those in developing countries, and seek a solution based on national context and real geopolitical factors at play. It is indeed encouraging that the protection of civilians is now a key pillar of all peacekeeping operations mandates. As a major troop-contributing country to United Nations peace operations, Ethiopia places great emphasis on deploying contingents who are adequately trained, vetted, equipped and instructed on protecting civilians. We continue to advocate for partnership and greater cooperation among the Member States and the United Nations to bolster context-specific in-mission training.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“In this context, it is appropriate to give proper attention to deliberate tactics used by States and groups, or the combined efforts of the two, to create havoc by targeting civilians and civilian sites to cause outrage and undermine national authority. These problems are primarily faced by developing countries such as mine. Attacks against civilians jeopardize sustainable peace and hard-won development gains. They distance peacemaking and reconciliation and risk eroding the fabric of social cohesion. That is the reason irresponsible actors that are set on causing the absolute annihilation of nations engage in the destruction of civilian sites, including schools, hospitals, energy-generating plants, markets and other places of superior public significance.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“We wish first to thank the President of the Security Council for organizing today’s important open debate on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. We also thank all the briefers for their briefings. Ethiopia attaches great importance to the protection of civilians in armed conflict and welcomes the Council’s attention to this thematic issue. My country has been a State party to the Geneva Conventions since 1949 and of the fourth Convention, on the protection of civilians, since 1969. In its long history and fights to preserve its sovereign integrity, Ethiopia has also been on the receiving end of violations of the protection of civilians. In our age, conflicts and threats continue to evolve and take on complex dynamics.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“In that regard, efficient and effective mandate implementation depends on the resource capability of uniformed and civilian peacekeeping personnel to discharge their responsibilities. Finally, Ethiopia remains committed to playing its part and to working with various partners to prepare for current and future global and regional peace and security challenges. Later this year we will co-host a peacekeeping ministerial preparatory meeting, together with Indonesia and Japan, on training and capacity- building. We also hope that the Secretary-General’s revamped Action for Peacekeeping Plus initiative will provide renewed impetus in addressing the evolving challenge facing peacekeepers’ safety and security.”
2021-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/501 (2021) · source
“Additionally, the safety and security of all who serve under the United Nations flag is our collective responsibility. Strong leadership and coordination at all levels and coordination, including at Headquarters, is critical to enhancing the safety and security of peacekeepers. Similarly, the Security Council, troop- and police- contributing countries, Member States and the Secretariat need to work in harmony to provide the conditions necessary to ensure the safety and security of peacekeeping troops. Such coordination is pivotal in order to set clear, realistic and feasible mandates backed by the necessary resources and ensure the success of peacekeeping operations. Furthermore, there is a clear link between capability and the safety and security of uniformed and civilian peacekeeping personnel.”
2021-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/501 (2021) · source
“Recently, drawdowns unjustified by mission requirements caused apparent damage to the health and well-being as well as the security of Blue Helmets. Over the last seven decades, the United Nations peacekeeping architecture has developed valuable lessons on mitigating risks and addressing complex operational challenges. However, experience and information-sharing among troop- and police-contributing countries are currently underutilized. In addition to triangular partnerships, we must make use of such tools as co-deployments and the light coordination mechanism to bolster training and capacity-building efforts, with a view to enhancing preparedness so as to ensure the safety and security of those we have entrusted with maintaining international peace and security.”
2021-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/501 (2021) · source
“Peacekeepers face increasingly asymmetric attacks and evolving protection challenges, and they operate in dynamic security environments. In that regard, we must continually invest in initiatives to improve their safety and performance. Deficiencies in terms of safety and security are detrimental to performance and hamper effective mandate delivery. Ethiopia is a leading contributor to peacekeeping operations and has deployed peacekeepers across continents since the 1950s. Our experience shows that the deployment of sufficiently staffed peacekeeping missions, with police and troop ceiling levels commensurate with the mandate of missions and the allocation of resources, helps minimize risks to the safety and security of Blue Helmets.”
2021-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/501 (2021) · source
“We thank China for having organized this important open debate on the safety and security of peacekeepers during the month of its presidency. We also thank Under-Secretaries-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Atul Khare and Gilles Michaud for their interventions. Peacekeeping is one of the available tools in the promotion and maintenance of international peace and security. It is therefore imperative that peacekeepers be provided with the necessary predeployment and in-mission training, which should also be tailored to the prevailing security challenges faced in specific missions. Equally important is the equipment level and medical services, especially in the context of the global pandemic and other adverse health challenges facing peacekeeping missions.”
2021-05-24 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/501 (2021) · source
“However, we underscore that this approach is certainly not productive and shadows what is presented to us as care and concern for humanitarian needs. In this regard, we call for a true cooperation respecting the norms we all have signed up for. Finally, the international community, particularly the Security Council, should actively support national, regional and subregional efforts to ensure African solutions to African challenges. That is especially so, when the regional and subregional organizations are seized of their own affairs and demonstrating strides to resolve the continent’s issues.”
2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source
“Unfortunately, the law enforcement operation to restore law and order resulted in humanitarian problems. We are working hard to address immediate needs, return those displaced by the conflict to their homes, rebuild damaged infrastructure and restore normalcy. We encourage partners and the international community to scale up their humanitarian support and work with the federal Government to undertake rebuilding and reconstruction efforts. It should be noted that efforts to undermine the legitimacy of Governments and the policy measures we take to preserve law and order stand in contrast to the principles of international law, including sovereignty and the obligation not to interfere in the internal affairs of States. We recognize that this is not an original problem that an African nation faces.”
2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source
“It is equally imperative to strengthen institutional capacity and root out corruption and maladministration to deny merchants of conflicts the opportunity to prey on our vulnerabilities and the unaddressed needs of our youth. Ethiopia has prioritized building peace at the national level, enforcing the rule of law and addressing macroeconomic bottlenecks to respond to growing socioeconomic demands. Our efforts have been tested by interlinked internal and external challenges. In our case, the territorial integrity of the State and the prevailing constitutional order were put in unprecedented peril. As any State in such a situation would do, the Government of Ethiopia undertook a successful law enforcement operation that neutralized the perpetrators and their evil plans to uproot the Ethiopian State as we know it.”
2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source
“We believe that the eradication of poverty and a governance system rooted in basic freedoms and principles and equal participation are the foundation for successful prevention for intra-State conflicts. Peace endures when development is inclusive, when citizens’ security is guaranteed, when women and young people are involved in the affairs of their countries. This desired state may be attained only through a nationally owned process that is fully cognizant of the context of the State concerned. In our continent, whose demography is dominated by youth, our prospects for economic development or State-building hinge on our capacity to reap the benefits of this demographic dividend.”
2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source
“In this regard, we attach great importance to the fundamentals in the cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union (AU) that centre on properly implementing the African Continental Early Warning System, the AU Mediation Support Unit and the AU Panel of the Wise. In this regard, we commend and stand ready to support the advancement of the partnership of the United Nations Secretariat with regional and subregional organizations. In this regard, the Security Council must support and promote national and regional conflict prevention efforts. In doing so, the agency and ownership of States in their own affairs and the rightful and mostly effective role of regional and subregional organizations shall be upheld at all times.”
2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source
“More importantly, hard-won gains towards the Sustainable Development Goals are also at risk. Preventing outbreaks of conflict and their recurrence is one of the central pillars of the African Union Peace and Security Architecture. In the current context, prevention and addressing root causes of conflict entail investment in job creation, adaptation and resilience towards the impacts of climate change, addressing youth unemployment and expanding development and social protection programmes to respond to growing needs. Furthermore, preventive diplomacy is an area that can benefit from a robust United Nations-African Union partnership.”
2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source
“The virus has laid bare our collective vulnerabilities, but also our interdependence. As the developed countries begin to turn the corner, Africa and other least developing countries are at risk of being left behind. To build back better from this ravaging disease, we must ensure universal access to vaccines. We must accept and operate on the basis of the principle that no one is safe until everyone is vaccinated. Otherwise, it will only be a matter of time until the virus mutates and another deadlier strain refuses to respond to the current vaccine, forcing yet another global lockdown. Ethiopia strongly believes that socioeconomic fallouts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to exacerbate the socioeconomic underpinning of conflicts in Africa.”
2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source
“At the outset, we thank China for organizing this important open debate and welcome State Councillor and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi. His attendance today underscores the importance that China attaches to peace and security in Africa. We also recognize Secretary-General António Guterres and United Nations Development Programme Administrator Achim Steiner for their comprehensive briefing and reflections on this important topic. The human toll of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is now visibly apparent. Its political, social and economic impact will further unfold in the coming years. Tragically, despite the commendable progress in developing and widely distributing the vaccines in the developed world, Africa is still in the thick of this global crisis.”
2021-05-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/490 (2021) · source
“In this regard, we applaud the humanitarian assistance provided for our citizens to date and encourage friendly countries to enhance their support.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“The law-enforcement operation in Tigray, together with the security challenges in other parts of Ethiopia, poses a unique challenge whereby the Government is striving to protect civilians and civilian objects against orchestrated attacks by frustrated criminal groups. As a State with an independent existence and a long history of governance, Ethiopia will take the necessary measures to protect its unity and territorial integrity. In addition, it will make the utmost efforts to protect its public from all forms of wrongdoing, including attacks by domestic criminal groups that intend to destabilize the nation. We uphold our obligations under national and international law. Further, we will realize our obligation to bring justice and accountability to perpetrators of crimes, notwithstanding their status or affiliation.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“Let me now turn to a contemporary challenge my country is facing and briefly highlight violations by non-State actors of the solemn obligation to protect civilians and civilian objects. Since early November, a treasonous group has committed all sorts of crimes against the public and attacked the Ethiopian National Defence Forces. When its futile attempt to secure victory failed, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front opened an attack against civilians. This criminal group undertook a deliberate effort to destroy hospitals and health-care facilities, roads, bridges, power-transmission lines and airports, which the Ethiopian people had toiled to build. The group targeted and caused considerable destruction to civilian airports in Bahir Dar, Gondar and Axum.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“Not only are attacks against civilians and civilian objects a transgression against the normative framework, but they are also a crime that jeopardizes sustainable peace and hard-won development gains. It puts off peacemaking and reconciliation and risks eroding the cohesive fabric of societies. That is the reason why irresponsible actors that are fixated on causing absolute annihilation of nations engage in destruction of civilian sites, including schools, hospitals, energy-generating plants, markets and other places of exceptional public significance. Ethiopian troops have made and continue to make enormous sacrifices in our collective mission to protect civilians in different corners of the world. Our commitment to the maintenance of international peace and security and the protection of civilians is historic and enduring.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“Even so, the right has been distinguished from the wrong, and the international system has been in a better position to remedy the violations. However, contemporary conflicts and threats continuously evolve and take on complex dynamics. Accordingly, it is appropriate now to give proper attention to the conduct of non-State actors that wreak havoc by targeting civilians and civilian objects with a view to causing outrage and to undermining national authority. In considering these non-conventional confrontations, the international system should look beyond the immediate inclination to take an adversarial stand to the positions of national Governments, especially those in developing countries, but should find solutions based on the real geopolitical factors at play.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“I commend the successful presidency of the Security Council of Viet Nam during this month of April 2021. I also thank the Vietnamese presidency for convening today’s important debate on the protection of civilians and indispensable civilian objects. International humanitarian law encompassed in the Geneva Conventions could not be clearer with respect to the regime for the protection of civilians and civilian objects. My country has been a signatory State of the Geneva Conventions since as far back as 1949 and of the Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War since 1969. In conventional armed conflicts, which most States have experienced, we have encountered serious setbacks and gaps in implementation of these norms.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“We must be mindful of the stabilizing role of UNISFA and the spirit of good-neighbourliness that has been in place since its deployment in 2011. We urge our Sudanese brothers to insulate UNISFA from other developments in the region. Ethiopia remains committed to addressing any differences with our Sudanese neighbours through dialogue and within existing mechanisms. Let me conclude by reiterating that UNISFA has registered laudable progress in ensuring the safety and security of civilians and the general stability of Abyei. The gains achieved through all our sacrifices must be protected and consolidated.”
2021-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/408 (2021) · source
“Thirdly, as the Secretary-General’s report (S/2021/383) makes it clear that, despite marked improvements in bilateral relations, the security situation in the box remains “tense and unpredictable”. Communal clashes and tensions, including at the Amiet common market, persist. UNISFA continues to encourage and support grass-roots inter-community peace and reconciliation initiatives. In this regard, it is important to resume the stalled peace dialogue between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities. We believe the deployment of formed police units will ease the patrolling burden on UNISFA and curb the increasing criminality in the box. Finally, while our region is indeed facing temporary challenges, it should not in any way impact UNISFA and its mandate delivery.”
2021-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/408 (2021) · source
“Ethiopia firmly believes the drawdown or exit of UNISFA should be based solely on the security situation on the ground and tangible progress towards the final status of Abyei. Secondly, we welcome, and are much encouraged by, the rapprochement between the Sudan and South Sudan. It is not only the Sudanese and South Sudanese people who benefit from the improved bilateral relations between the two sisterly countries; the entire region benefits. The two parties must be encouraged and supported to persist in their joint pursuit of lasting peace through dialogue. The rapprochement also offers an opportunity for a negotiated settlement on the final status of Abyei.”
2021-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/408 (2021) · source
“It is one of the most challenging missions, especially given its location and difficult supply chains. However, UNISFA is one of the missions of which Ethiopia is most proud. Our contingents have, over the years, made huge sacrifices in discharging their mandate. UNISFA and the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM) have contributed enormously to preserving peace and stability in Abyei and along the border between the Sudan and South Sudan. Ethiopia remains committed to the success of the mission and looks forward to continuing discussions with all stakeholders about its future. However, we wish to underline that any reduction of forces would jeopardize the safety of UNISFA personnel and lead to the deterioration of the security situation in Abyei.”
2021-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/408 (2021) · source
“Let me join others in congratulating you, Sir, on a successful presidency of the Security Council for the month of April. We appreciated the opportunity to participate in the open debates. Thank you, also, for convening today’s important briefing on the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA). We thank the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, for their briefings. I also wish to recognize our brothers from South Sudan and the Sudan. Allow me to make three brief remarks. First, as we all know, the 2011 agreement that established UNISFA provided for the deployment of only Ethiopian contingents in Abyei. This makes UNISFA unique.”
2021-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/408 (2021) · source
“Ethiopia is determined to rebuild the region by addressing the humanitarian needs of the people of Tigray, restoring infrastructure and services and, most important, deterring conflict-related sexual violence and providing the necessary support to victims. We call on the international community to rally behind the Government in its effort to respond to the ever-increasing humanitarian needs throughout the country by scaling up a wide range of assistance in order to meet the needs of the affected population. Above all, we urge the members of the Council to respect the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and unity of Ethiopia. In the content of today’s open debate, we appeal to all to recognize and support the positive steps taken by the Government of Ethiopia and by regional leaders and organizations.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“It is often forgotten that Ethiopia was forced to conduct a law-enforcement operation after our national defence forces were attacked and demobilized. Secondly, the Ethiopian Government takes seriously allegations of human rights violations and sexual violence. In that regard, a multi-agency task force has been set up and deployed to investigate the allegations. Furthermore, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission signed an agreement with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to jointly conduct investigations in order to ensure accountability and bring perpetrators to justice. Those found responsible for abuse will be held accountable to the full extent of the law. We must await the results of the investigations without prejudging and must refrain from declaring or assigning blame until then.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“In recent years, in recognition of the AU’s comparative advantages and in deference to the principle of subsidiarity, the Council has expressed support for African solutions to African problems. It is important that the AU’s comparative advantages be used optimally as a first recourse in responding to conflicts in Africa. The Council must therefore always strive to ensure that this noble motto is not forgotten and reduced to a mere slogan. Finally, let me take this opportunity to say a few words about the situation in my country. First, let me underline that the Ethiopian Government understands its primary responsibility of ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens, as obligated by its Constitution. It must also be crystal clear that the Government has a duty to protect and enforce the constitutional order.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“More needs to be done to enhance the early- warning, conflict-prevention and preventive-diplomacy efforts of the AU and subregional organizations like the Intergovernmental Authority on Development. In that context, we take note of continued progress on the annual consultative meeting with the AU Peace and Security Council, as well as in joint field visits by senior officials, more regular exchanges of information, enhanced consultations on mandates and mandate renewals and greater collaboration between the Secretariat and the AU Commission. In responding to challenges, we must always be guided by the Charter of the United Nations, which, among other things, calls for parties S/2021/394 S/2021/394 to “resort to regional agencies or arrangements” as the first step in the settlement of disputes.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“As we continue to seek innovative financing solutions, we must also consider the full range of possibilities for cooperation between the two organizations across the range of possible responses to the conflict cycle. The African Peace and Security Architecture has five pillars across the peace continuum, including mediation and preventive diplomacy. The United Nations and the AU can do more to boost the institutional capacity of the AU and subregional organizations in order to strengthen those tools. In that regard, we urge closer collaboration and strategic dialogue, partnerships and more regular exchanges of views at the working level in order to strengthen our preventive diplomacy capacities.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“Indeed, the United Nations and the AU have disparate conflict prevention, management and resolution capacities. It is only through complementarity that we can sustainably resolve the many conflicts that make up the bulk of the Council’s agenda. To that end, AU member States share the burden by mobilizing resources for the AU Peace Fund. It remains critical to translate our commitments into action and ensure predictable, flexible and sustainable financing for AU peace support operations. We urge the Council to take concrete steps in that regard. However, it is equally important to underline that the financing issue is but one aspect of the United Nations-AU strategic partnership.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“The need for greater cooperation between the United Nations and regional organizations is especially important in the African continent. We take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation to Secretary- General António Guterres and the Council for their continued commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between the United Nations and the African Union (AU). We hope our debate today will build the necessary momentum for translating our stated commitments into concrete action, including in the context of post-pandemic rebuilding to protect and sustain hard-won development gains towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Recent discussions about the AU-United Nations partnership have focused largely on the issue of financing for AU peace support operations.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“Let me first congratulate you on Viet Nam’s recent assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for this month and thank you for organizing this important open debate on “Cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organizations in maintaining international peace and security”. We also thank Secretary-General António Guterres, former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and representatives of regional and subregional organizations for their insightful briefings. The importance of multilateralism and robust global cooperation has never been greater. The coronavirus disease pandemic has ravaged our societies and economies. It has also made clear our collective vulnerability and interdependence.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“Finally, I would like to conclude by reiterating our commitment to the zero- tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse and to ensuring accountability for those who are found to have been involved in committing such egregious acts. While further affirming Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to addressing the root cause of sexual violence, we call on the Council to play a constructive role within its mandate by assisting countries in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and supporting national mechanisms to effectively enable States to safeguard the well-being of their citizens.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“An anti-gender violence unit has also been established in the police force and trainings have been given to 1,400 police force members to address service gaps and prevent sexual violence against women and girls. Ethiopia is determined to rebuild the region by addressing the humanitarian needs of the people, restoring infrastructure and services, and, most importantly, deterring conflict-related sexual violence from further taking place and providing the necessary support to victims. We call on the international community to rally behind the Government in its effort to respond to the ever-rising humanitarian needs throughout the country by scaling up wide-ranging assistance to meet the needs of the affected population.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“To assist victims, trainings on minimum initial-service package for sexual and reproductive health have also been given to medical directors, legal personnel, social workers and focal nurses in five hospitals to prevent the transmission of, and reduce morbidity and mortality due to, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies. Moreover, five one-stop centres have been established, in Mekelle, Aksum, Adigrat, Maychew and Shire towns, to provide access to holistic services for rape victims. On prevention, a multisectoral task force has been established and regular consultations have been taking place with nine internally displaced person centres, religious leaders and local humanitarian organizations.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“In the meantime, I appeal to all concerned to recognize the steps taken and await the outcome of the investigation without making any judgments that might jeopardize the process. I would like to further highlight some of the activities carried out in response to the reported sexual violence against women in Tigray. Based on assessments undertaken in collaboration with the United Nations agencies, capacity-building trainings have been given to civil servants, police officers, social workers and nurses on a number of issues covering emotional resilience, policy and legal frameworks to enable them provide psychosocial services to rape victims.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“Neither the brutally murdered national defence army members nor the civilians, including women and children, who were gruesomely massacred in Mai-Kadra are mentioned in the report, which defies the principle of non-selectivity when considering human right issues. The Ethiopian Government, however, feels strongly about the reported allegations. In this regard, a task force has been set up by relevant Government authorities and deployed to investigate the allegations. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, as part of its obligation to carry out independent investigations into abuses committed by all actors, has signed an agreement with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to jointly conduct investigations to ensure accountability and bring perpetrators to justice.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“The Tigray People’s Liberation Front clique, once it realized that it had lost its legitimacy both in the country’s political arena and in the fight against the federal Government, deliberately released more than 10,000 imprisoned criminals, aiming to harass and terrorize the people, thereby advancing its selfish political interests. The terrorist group cunningly managed to defame the federal defence forces, who have been doing nothing but upholding law and order, by fabricating unheard-of stories featuring immoral acts of sexual violence, such as the ones mentioned in the report. The report, while overlooking the part played by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front group in the accounted allegations, also fails to recognize a range of human rights violations committed by the same group.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“This allegation does not accord with the military doctrine, training and discipline of our army — the very army whose members have for years been deployed to conflict-affected regions of the world to maintain peace and order. I want to assure the Council that my Government is investigating allegations of human rights abuses, including sexual violence, and it will certainly take corrective measures if there is any misconduct at all by members of the national army. It would be only fair of me to share some facts to set the record straight pertaining to the causes of sexual violence against women in Tigray.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“The Ethiopian Government realizes its primary responsibility for safeguarding the well-being of its citizens, as per its constitutional obligations, and will certainly make use of the recommendation contained in the report to that effect. Nevertheless, we are concerned about parts of the report mentioning individuals allegedly being forced to rape members of their own family. This is an unsubstantiated allegation that diminishes the sincere effort exerted by my Government to investigate human rights abuses, including sexual violence, allegedly committed in the Tigray region and to bring perpetrators to justice. The report also states that women were forced to have sex by military elements in exchange for basic commodities.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“We believe that this open debate presents an opportune moment to garner much-needed cooperation among all relevant stakeholders to create a mechanism that enhances the protection and safety of women in conflict areas and to tackle impunity for sexual violence in conflict. This also calls for the constructive engagement of the Security Council with Member States to resolve issues of conflict, which, more often than not, leave vulnerable sections of society, such as women and girls, to bear the brunt of sexual violence. In this regard, we take note of the Secretary-General’s report (S/2021/312), which contains useful recommendations, particularly on the significance of engaging with national authorities and the provision of victim-centred support spanning different sectors, from the socioeconomic to security and protection.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“We thank the presidency of Viet Nam for organizing this important open debate on “Women and peace and security: sexual violence in conflict”, as it remains imperative for us to continue to deliver on our commitments to addressing the issue of sexual violence against women, who make up half of humankind. I would also like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Pramila Patten, for her briefing and for her Office’s continued engagement with the Government of Ethiopia to facilitate support in areas of capacity-building and technical assistance pertinent to sexual violence.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source