Delivered by: H.E. Ms Anna Jardfelt, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN in Geneva, on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries
Madam High Commissioner,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries.
We welcome the update and share the deep concern for the human rights situation in Tigray and other regions of Ethiopia.
Violence cannot solve the spiralling conflict in Northern Ethiopia. We urge all parties to immediately cease fire without preconditions and negotiate a solution.
Starvation must not be used as a weapon. We urge all parties to ensure full, immediate, and unhindered humanitarian access to Tigray and surrounding regions.
All human rights must be respected. We call on all parties to the conflict to comply with international humanitarian and refugee law and to protect civilians from sexual and gender-based violence, ethnic violence, displacement, and harm. Any act of refoulement or forced returns of refugees or IDPs must be prevented. Returns must be safe, voluntary, and dignified. All parties must refrain from incitement to hatred and violence.
Eritrea’s role in the ongoing conflict is cause for deep concern. We call on the Eritrean Defence Forces to withdraw immediately.
We welcome the upcoming report of the joint investigation which is an important step to ensure that all allegations of human rights violations and abuses are investigated. Perpetrators must be held accountable in an independent, transparent, and impartial manner.
Madam High Commissioner, how can we support efforts to ensure accountability?