International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia
In its resolution S-33/1, on the situation of human rights in Ethiopia, adopted on 17 December 2021, the Human Rights Council established an international commission of human rights experts on Ethiopia, comprising three human rights experts appointed by the President of the Human Rights Council, to complement the work undertaken by the joint investigative team. The Commission’s mandate was most recently extended for a period of one year, until October 2023, through Human Rights Council resolution A/HRC/RES/51/27 during the Council’s 51st Session.
Mandate
- To conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into allegations of violations and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law and international refugee law in Ethiopia committed since 3 November 2020 by all parties to the conflict, including the possible gender dimensions of such violations and abuses, by building upon the report of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission;
- To establish the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged violations and abuses, to collect and preserve evidence, to identify those responsible, where possible, and to make such information accessible and usable in support of ongoing and future accountability efforts;
- To provide guidance on transitional justice, including accountability, reconciliation and healing, as appropriate, and to make recommendations on technical assistance to the Government of Ethiopia to support accountability, reconciliation and healing;
- To integrate a gender perspective and a survivor-centred approach throughout its work;
- To engage with all relevant stakeholders, including the Government of Ethiopia, including regional State governments, the Government of Eritrea, the Office of the High Commissioner, the interministerial task force, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, the African Union, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and civil society;
The Council requested the international Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia to present a written report to the Human Rights Council at its fifty-fourth session, to be followed by an interactive dialogue, and to the General Assembly at its seventy-eighth session, to be followed by an interactive dialogue.
In accordance with this mandate, the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia was established, based in Entebbe, Uganda. The President of the Human Rights Council appointed a Chair and two other high-level experts.
Documentation
Comprehensive investigative findings and legal determinations, the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (A/HRC/CRP.3)
13 October 2023
Acute Risk of Further Atrocity Crimes in Ethiopia: An Analysis by the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (A/HRC/CRP-2)
3 October 2023
Report of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (A/HRC/54/55)
18 September 2023
- Annex II
Report of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (A/HRC/51/46)
19 September 2022
- Annex I, Annex II, and Annex III
Statements
Statement of the Chairperson of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, at the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, Third Committee
(Amharic | Tigrinya)
25 October 2023
Statement of the Chairperson and Members of the UN International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, at the 54th Human Rights Council Session
(Amharic | Tigrinya)
21 September 2023
Statement attributable to the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia on the security situation in the north-west
(Amharic | Tigrinya)
10 August 2023
Oral Update of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia to the UN Human Rights Council, Geneva
(Amharic | Tigrinya)
21 March 2023
Statement attributable to the UN International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia on the Policy Options for Transitional Justice in Ethiopia
(Amharic | Tigrinya)
26 January 2023
Statement by the UN Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia on Signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement
(Amharic | Tigrinya)
4 November 2022
Statement by the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia to the 51st session of the Human Rights Council
(Amharic | Tigrinya)
22 September 2022
Statement by the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia on the renewal of hostilities between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front
(Amharic | Tigrinya)
7 September 2022
Statement Attributable to the International Commission of Human Rights Experts for Ethiopia
(Amharic | Tigrinya)
29 August 2022
Oral Update of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia to the UN Human Rights Council, Geneva
(Amharic | Tigrinya)
30 June 2022
Statement to the media by the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia: delivered by Commission Chair Kaari Betty Murungi and Commission Member Steven Ratner, Geneva
(Amharic | Tigrinya)
30 June 2022
Former members
Press Releases
UN Experts call for ongoing international scrutiny and support for victims in Ethiopia
English | Amharic | Tigrinya
26 October 2023
International community must ensure accountability and protection for civilians caught in Ethiopia conflict, UN commission says final report
English | Amharic | Tigrinya
13 October 2023
Risk of future atrocity crimes in Ethiopia requires ongoing international scrutiny and investigation, UN Experts say
English | Amharic | Tigrinya
3 October 2023
Ethiopia: Nearly one year after ceasefire, UN experts warn of ongoing atrocities, including war crimes and crimes against humanity
English | Amharic | Tigrinya
18 September 2023
Human Rights Council President appoints Mohamed Chande Othman to serve as new chairperson of Ethiopia Commission
English | Amharic | Tigrinya
21 December 2022
UN experts warn of potential for further atrocities amid resumption of conflict in Ethiopia
English | Amharic | Tigrinya
19 September 2022
Members of Human Rights Body Conclude First Mission to Ethiopia
English | Amharic | Tigrinya
2 August 2022
Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia to Conduct First Visit in the Country
English | Amharic | Tigrinya
25 July 2022
Human rights council president appoints Radhika Coomaraswamy of Sri Lanka to serve on Ethiopia rights body
English | Amharic | Tigrinya
28 June 2022
Human Rights Council President Appoints Kaari Betty Murungi to Serve as New Chairperson of Ethiopia Commission
English | Amharic | Tigrinya
10 June 2022
President of Human Rights Council appoints members of investigative body in Ethiopia
English | Amharic | Tigrinya
2 March 2022
Contact
The international Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia: ohchr-ichreethiopia@un.org
Videos
Press Conference by the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, 21 September 2023
Presentation to the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council, 21 September 2023
Press briefing by the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, 21 March 2023
Oral Update to the Human Rights Council, 21 March 2023
Press Conference by the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia, 22 September 2022
Presentation to the 51st Session of the Human Rights Council's, 22 September 2022