ADDIS ABABA: The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission on Saturday called for urgent measures to ensure “the safety and security of civilians” is made a priority in Tigray after eight months of conflict that has left millions facing famine. After declaring an early victory, the operation turned into a long-lasting and bloody conflict between pro-TPLF forces — the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) — and the Ethiopian army. The conflict has been marked by numerous accounts of abuses against civilians, with reports of massacres, rapes and forced displacement. “The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission expresses its deep concern about the situation of civilians in the Tigray region” and “urges that urgent measures be taken to ensure their safety and security,” the independent but federal government-affiliated body said on Saturday. “The safety and security of civilians must remain a priority,” it said.

Source: Ethiopian News July 03, 2021 18:33 UTC