UN rights chief urges Ethiopia and Eritrea to de‑escalate tensions
## Regulation: Human Rights Concerns in Tigray Region
Regulation: Human Rights Concerns in Tigray Region
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to take immediate measures to de-escalate tensions in the Tigray region. This call follows accusations from Ethiopia regarding a massacre in Tigray attributed to Eritrean forces.
Recent confrontations between the Ethiopian army and regional forces have raised concerns about a potential deepening of the human rights crisis in northern Ethiopia. The situation remains highly volatile, with fears of further deterioration affecting the region's human rights and humanitarian conditions.
Efforts are needed from all parties, supported by the international community, to reduce tensions. Political dialogue and confidence-building measures are deemed necessary to prevent further conflict.
On January 26, clashes intensified between the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) and the regional Tigray Security Forces (TSF) in the north-western areas of Tselemti and Laelay Tselemti, near the Amhara border. The TSF withdrew from Tselemti on February 1.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to take immediate measures to de-escalate tensions in the Tigray region.
Both sides employed drones, artillery, and other weapons, with reports of numerous arrests and detentions by the ENDF and TSF during and after the clashes. Civilians have been caught in the crossfire, facing arrests for perceived affiliations with the opposing forces.
In the southern and south-eastern parts of the Tigray region, near the Afar border, conflicts between the TSF and the rival "Tigray Peace Forces" continue without resolution.
Over one million civilians remain internally displaced due to the 2020-2022 Tigray conflict, which resulted in significant casualties and displaced more than two million individuals. The exact number of fatalities remains uncertain.
Both the ENDF and TSF are urged to resolve their disputes through political means, with calls for independent investigations into alleged human rights violations by any perpetrators.
The High Commissioner has highlighted concerns about rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea, which could intensify existing human rights and humanitarian issues in both nations and the broader Horn of Africa region.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
