The findings of two reports issued by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in the past fortnight make for grim reading. Ethiopia is a signatory to a host of international humanitarian agreements which set minimum standards for all parties to a non-international armed conflict. It has also adopted seven out of the nine major international human rights treaties, including the Universal Declaration of Human rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. These treaties set out guarantees for fundamental rights, many of which correspond to the rights to which civilians are entitled under international humanitarian law. The actions of the parties to the ongoing conflicts in Ethiopia raises doubts whether they have a proper grasp of their responsibilities underthese international humanitarian and human rights laws.

Source: Ethiopian News February 24, 2024 22:51 UTC