Tigray – Government says they have heard ” harrowing accounts of human rights violations” call “for free and unfettered humanitarian access to 4.5 million people in need” that there is a need for “a serious and urgent response from the Government of Ethiopia” and a “need for the immediate withdrawal by Eritrean troops from Tigray”
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL13950):
Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking in response to the remarks by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator on 4 March that (1) “a campaign of destruction” is taking place in Tigray, (2) that at least 4.5 million people need humanitarian assistance, and (3) that Eritrean forces should leave Tigray forthwith. (HL13950)
Tabled on: 08 March 2021
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
The UK shares the concerns outlined by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator in his statement of 4 March on the humanitarian situation in Tigray. The UK has been consistent in calling for free and unfettered humanitarian access to 4.5 million people in need. We have made clear our position that Eritrean forces should withdraw. The Foreign Secretary raised the need for humanitarian access to Tigray with Prime Minister Abiy during his recent visit to Ethiopia and pressed for a political dialogue to bring lasting peace to the region. The Minister for Africa re-enforced the urgency of the need for humanitarian access when he spoke with the Ethiopian Ambassador on 24 February.
The UK is working closely with humanitarian and development agencies to make sure aid reaches civilians affected by the fighting. UK-funded aid agencies in Tigray are delivering support in challenging circumstances, including food, shelter, water and healthcare. A joint humanitarian and political team from the British Embassy in Addis Ababa visited Mekelle on 5 March. They met with the provisional administration of Tigray, mayor of Mekelle, humanitarian agencies and people displaced by violence. They heard harrowing accounts of human rights violations, the challenges of aid delivery and how some of the £11.4 million of UK Aid is helping to support those affected by the Tigray conflict. The Government of Ethiopia must act now to protect its people.
Date and time of answer: 22 Mar 2021 at 17:33.
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Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL13949):
Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the report by Human Rights Watch Ethiopia: Eritrean Forces Massacre Tigray Civilians, published on 5 March; and what steps they are taking to hold those responsible for reported mass killings in Axum to account. (HL13949)
Tabled on: 08 March 2021
Answer:
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon:
I refer the noble Lord to my response to his Oral question (volume 810, column 1468) answered on 9 March 2021. On 26 February the Minister for Africa stated that we are deeply saddened and concerned by the reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch on the human rights violations of civilians in Axum, Ethiopia. These require a serious and urgent response from the Government of Ethiopia. We continue to call for independent, international investigations into these and other crimes reported in Tigray, and for the Government of Ethiopia to ensure full access for human rights organisations. We have made this clear to the Government of Ethiopia. The Minister for Africa also pressed the need for the immediate withdrawal by Eritrean troops from Tigray and raised our concerns about human rights abuses in Tigray when he met the Eritrean Ambassador to the UK this week.
Date and time of answer: 22 Mar 2021 at 17:31.
