Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL10842):
Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risk of genocide against Tigrayans. (HL10842)
Tabled on: 30 November 2020
This question was grouped with the following question(s) for answer:
- To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Ethiopia about (1) reports of atrocities against Tigrayans, and (2) ensuring that civilians are protected. (HL10843)
Tabled on: 30 November 2020
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
The UK is concerned by the violence between federal and regional forces in the Tigray region and the risk it poses to civilians, and by reports of ethnically-motivated attacks both within Tigray and elsewhere in Ethiopia. We are gravely concerned over allegations of atrocities and violations; we call for transparency and accountability to be delivered for such incidents. We have repeatedly called for civilians to be protected, including in conversations with both parties to the conflict. The UK’s longstanding position is that determining whether a situation amounts to genocide is an issue for competent national and international courts, not governments: our focus is on seeing an end to violence. We will continue to track the situation and to raise with the Government of Ethiopia and regional leaders these concerns, our concerns about civilian deaths and casualties, and the importance of respect for human rights.
Date and time of answer: 14 Dec 2020 at 15:04.
