Thank you, Deputy High Commissioner,
85 years ago, right here in Geneva, a firm committed believer in the principles of collective security, world peace, His Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie’s appeal to the League of Nations could not convince multilateralism to end the Italian Aggression.
History repeats itself, today, 85 years later here in Geneva, as Ethiopia is once again defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This time from internal aggression. This time as well, our commitment to multilateralism, is not helping us to defend our country. Multilateralism after all these years, is once again being hijacked by a neocolonialist mentality. Ethiopia is being targeted and singled out at the Human Rights Council for defending a democratically elected Government, the peace and the future if its people.
As one of the founders of the League of Nations and the United Nations, Ethiopia is a firm believer in multilateralism. The mandate and work of the Human Rights Council is not to advance ulterior political objectives. In recent years, we have seen the same powers oversee the complete destabilization of several countries. This must stop. In the past, we stood alone to defend colonial aggression. Today, Ethiopia confronts this blatant political pressure with so many countries shoulder to shoulder to defend multilateralism.
Mr. Deputy High Commissioner,
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission have jointly investigated the alleged human rights violations in the context of the conflict in the northern part of Ethiopia. Ethiopia has a government with unreserved commitment to Human Rights. We declared our commitment to implement the recommendations of the recently issued Joint Investigation. We accordingly set up a High-Level National Mechanism, an inter-ministerial task force. The taskforce has started its work. It would have been ready to cooperate with the OHCHR on some areas requiring additional expertise. The Government of Ethiopia has once again invited the OHCHR to jointly investigate together with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, starting from the period the first joint investigation ended.
The initiative of this special session, on the other hand, failed to condemn the pillage, destruction of property, rape and sexual abuse, use of child soldiers by these rebel forces, the TPLF. This terrorist group commandeered more than a thousand trucks delivering humanitarian supplies to the people in Tigray region and used them for military purposes. It destroyed food warehouses, schools, health facilities, industrial parks. The initiators of this Special Session would not care less. They are determined to impose their will on the Government.
The very underhand manner this special session was initiated shows its ulterior political objectives. Is this initiative helpful? NO. Why would one want to establish a concurrent body with a similar mandate of the Joint Investigation Team? Why is a request tabled to reinvestigate an already investigated and reported matter, which is currently under implementation Is the Human Rights Council putting into question the report that it has already adopted or is it undermining thriving national mechanisms? The answer is clear. The Council is being used as an instrument of political pressure. It is a counterproductive effort to embolden the terrorist rebels and exacerbate the situation on the ground.
Therefore, the most logical thing to do would have been to support our genuine national effort consistent with the principle of subsidiarity. As far as Ethiopia is concerned, rest assured that my government will continue to ensuring accountability. On top of that the Ethiopian House of Representatives has initiated the establishment of a Commission to manage an inclusive national dialogue.
In light of the foregoing, The Government of Ethiopia expresses its complete rejection of Resolution A/HRC/S-33/L.1 We call upon Council members to a firm principled stand against short-sighted interest and refuse politicization of human rights by rejecting this resolution. I would like to reiterate that my government will NOT cooperate with any mechanism that may be imposed upon it. Because this is not only a deliberate destabilization effort but a calculated attempt on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ethiopia.
I thank you
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