Eight survivors from Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict have accused 12 high-ranking Ethiopian and Eritrean officials of war crimes. This accusation is part of a complaint filed by Legal Action Worldwide with the German Federal Public Prosecutor. The conflict, lasting from 2020 to 2022, led to extensive casualties and ongoing humanitarian crises.
In a significant development, eight survivors from Ethiopia’s Tigray conflict have accused twelve prominent Ethiopian and Eritrean officials of war crimes and crimes against humanity. This allegation was brought forth by the legal advocacy group, Legal Action Worldwide (LAW), which announced the filing of a complaint with the German Federal Public Prosecutor. The Tigray conflict, occurring from 2020 to 2022, resulted in an estimated 600,000 casualties and involved a clash between the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and federal forces.
Both the Ethiopian government and Eritrean military have faced accusations of committing various atrocities, including the restriction of humanitarian access to Tigray for much of the conflict. In the filing submitted in 2024, the LAW did not reveal the identities of the accused officials but emphasized the gravity of the allegations. A spokesperson indicated they could not confirm if prominent figures such as Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed or President Isaias Afwerki were named in the complaint.
The complaint utilizes the principle of universal jurisdiction, enabling legal action against crimes that infringe upon international law. Nick Leddy, head of LAW’s strategic litigation, expressed their desire for German authorities to initiate a criminal investigation and issue arrest warrants for the implicated officials. He refrained from disclosing the identities of the suspects to avoid undermining potential arrest efforts.
One survivor poignantly described the personal loss endured during the conflict, stating, “I’ve lost two of the most important people in my life in this war: my younger brother and my mom,” emphasizing the ongoing suffering in Tigray. The survivor insisted that accountability is essential for the perpetrators of these horrific crimes, affirming, “Tigrayans are still dying every day.”
Despite a peace agreement established in November 2022, approximately one million of Tigray’s six million pre-war residents remain displaced, and recent discord within the TPLF raises concerns of a possible resurgence of hostilities.
The accusations against Ethiopian and Eritrean officials bring forward crucial legal challenges regarding accountability for mass atrocities during the Tigray conflict. While survivors seek justice through international legal frameworks, the plight of those affected continues. The ongoing displacement of the Tigrayan population and the instability within the TPLF highlight the importance of sustained international attention and action to ensure justice and peace in the region.
Original Source: thedefensepost.com
