Resolution on the recent humanitarian and human rights situation in Tigray, Ethiopia, notably that of children

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the recent humanitarian and human rights situation in Tigray, Ethiopia, notably that of children.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA and Members.

As a result of Ethiopia’s civil war, nearly half a million Ethiopians have died and more than 1.6 million people have been displaced by this conflict. One out of three Tigrayan children under the age of five and half of all pregnant and breastfeeding women are malnourished, and a total of 1.39 million children in the region are unable to go to school.

Throughout the evolution of the conflict in Tigray, the sole constant has been the many alleged gross violations of human rights, humanitarian law and refugee law perpetrated by all parties to the conflict.

Against this background, Parliament called for:

- an immediate cessation of hostilities and ceasefire in Tigray and the neighbouring regions without preconditions;

- immediate, full, safe and sustained humanitarian access to all those affected by the conflict in the region;

- an immediate return to constitutional order and for the establishment of a ceasefire monitoring mechanism;

- the full re-establishment of basic public services such as electricity infrastructure, banking services, schools and hospitals and the immediate lifting of restrictions on telecommunications in Tigray.

Moreover, the deliberate targeting of civilians by all the warring parties and the reported recruitment of children by certain warring parties is strongly condemned by Members. Parliament is also dismayed by the reports of rape and crimes of sexual violence against children, women and men which have been perpetrated on a staggering scale by all the belligerents. It is deeply concerned by and called for immediate attention to reports of the killing and maiming of Tigrayan, Amhara and Afarian children on ethnic grounds, which constitute war crimes and ethnic cleansing.

The EU and its Member States are urged to:

- increase support for emergency rehabilitation centres for women and children, including children born of rape, which protect and rehabilitate survivors of gender-based violence, human trafficking and sexual exploitation;

- step up resettlement from the region, provide humanitarian visas to those at risk and facilitate family reunification.

Lastly, the resolution further expressed its support for all diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict within Ethiopia, in particular through African Union mediation.