UN Urges Ethiopia and Eritrea to De — Escalate Tensions in Tigray Region. Geneva, Switzerland — The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, emphasizing the urgent need for political dialogue and confidence-building measures to prevent further conflict. Shamdasani, the UN Human Rights Spokesperson, addressed the issue during a press conference in Geneva on February 10, noting the precarious situation in the region. “.
Recent fighting between the Ethiopian army and regional forces has highlighted the risk of a deepening human rights crisis in the north of the country, “she.
The conflict, which intensified on January 26, has seen the use of drones, artillery, and other powerful weapons by both the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) and the regional Tigray Security Forces (TSF).
The TSF has withdrawn from the Tselemti area, but clashes continue in other parts of the region.
Civilians are once again caught in the crossfire, with reports of arrests and detentions by both sides. Over a million civilians remain internally displaced from the 2020-2022 Tigray conflict, which has left many dead and uprooted over two million people.
The UN rights chief has also expressed concern over recent tensions between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea, warning that they risk exacerbating the already serious human rights and humanitarian challenges in both countries and across the wider Horn of Africa. “.
The situation remains highly volatile, and we fear that it will deteriorate, worsening the region’s already precarious human rights and humanitarian situation, “Shamdasani added.
Both sides are urged to step back from the brink and work to resolve their differences through political means. Alleged serious violations or abuses must be promptly and independently investigated, irrespective of the perpetrators. Further details are expected as the situation continues to develop.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
