Op zondag 30 juni hebben Tigreërs in Nederland gedemoniseerd tegen het geweld tegen vrouwen in het noorden van Ethiopië, in de provincie Tigray. De demonstranten hebben hun solidariteit met de slachtoffers van seksueel geweld in Tigray betuigt en eisen gerechtigheid voor alle slachtoffers van seksueel geweld, ontvoeringen, moord en andere misstanden in de regio.
Urgent Call for Justice: Protecting Women’s Rights in Tigray
The women of Tigray have faced severe atrocities throughout the genocidal war, declared on November 4, 2020 by the government of Ethiopia, supported by Eritrean troops and Amhara regional forces, and the ongoing violence against them is a stark reminder of the region’s turbulent state. According to some sources, there are 15 open cases of women who have been brutally murdered since 2022 when the war ended. The brutal killing of Zewdu Haftu, Mahlet Teklay and others underscores the persistent dangers women in Tigray face and the urgent need for justice. These acts of violence stand in stark contradiction to cultural values that honor and protect women.
Semhal, a friend of Zewdu, recounted the horrifying events leading to Zewdu’s murder. While walking on the streets, near Zewdu’s house in Adi Hawsi, in Mekelle, a white car approached from behind. Someone from the car grabbed Zewdu’s hand, dragging her into the vehicle as it sped away. Despite Semhal’s desperate attempt to follow the car, she could not keep up. Zewdu’s body was later found with severe head injuries and bleeding on the street.
The brutal killing of Zewdu Haftu, Mahlet Teklay and others and the subsequent handling of the cases involve multiple violations of international human rights laws, including:
Right to Life
The right to life is a cornerstone of international human rights law, enshrined in several key documents, most notably Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). These articles affirm that every individual has the inherent right to life, and this right must be protected by law. The state has an obligation to ensure that no person is arbitrarily deprived of their life, reflecting a commitment to upholding the sanctity of human life under all circumstances
Article 3 of the UDHR
Article 3 of the UDHR states: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.” This declaration, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, establishes the right to life as a fundamental and universal entitlement, underscoring the importance of protecting individuals from unlawful killings and ensuring their safety.
Article 6 of the ICCPR
Article 6 of the ICCPR elaborates further: “Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.” The ICCPR, which entered into force in 1976, is a binding treaty that requires signatory states to adopt measures that protect individuals against arbitrary killings. It mandates legal frameworks that both prevent unlawful killings and ensure accountability when violations occur.
The need for a thorough investigation into the brutal killing of women in the Tigray region, cannot be overstated. Despite the signing of the Pretoria Peace Agreement in November 2022, atrocities against women in Tigray continue unabated, highlighting the ongoing crisis in the region.
Addressing these violations requires an immediate and multi-faceted approach. Legal and judicial reforms, enhanced protective measures, cultural and social change, and strong accountability mechanisms are essential to ensure justice for victims and prevent further atrocities. The international community must continue to monitor the situation, advocate for the protection of human rights, and support efforts to restore justice and peace in Tigray.
We demand:
- Justice for women in Tigray!
- STOP sexual and gender-based violence against women in Tigray!
- Bring perpetrators to justice!
Tigary community in The Netherlands