The United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell on Wednesday expressed their concern over human rights in Tigray region of Ethiopia.
“The two principals shared their concern about the continuing humanitarian tragedy and human rights violations and abuses in Tigray. They discussed a variety of measures to support unhindered humanitarian access, investigations of human rights violations and abuses, a cessation of hostilities, and the immediate withdrawal of Eritrea from Ethiopian territory,” the joint statement by the two sides stated.
The U.S. and EU officials also expressed their concern over the border conflict between Ethiopia and Sudan as well as urged Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt to find peaceful solution in relation to Ethiopia’s mega dam under construction.
“On the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) negotiations, they called on all parties to show flexibility and move promptly to resume productive negotiations in the coming weeks. They expressed concern over increased tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia and encourage both countries to resolve their difference through peaceful means. They also discussed the situation in Somalia, where they expected a political consensus to deliver an election without delay,” the statement said.
In addition at the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), which took place on Monday and Tuesday this week, the United States helped advance responses to dire human rights situations through resolutions, joint statements, and interventions including on: Belarus, Burma, Burundi, Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Nicaragua, North Korea, Russia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Venezuela, South Sudan, and Yemen.
In a related development Eritrea has rejected the recent statement of EU over Eritrea’s troops involvement in Tigray region of Ethiopia. “Eritrea rejects the offensive and counterproductive resolution the EU Council of Ministers has adopted against it today,” it said.
“In what it termed as “restrictive measures for serious human rights violations”, the EU has specifically targeted Eritrea’s National Security Office in its malicious act. The EU has no legal or moral prerogative for its decision and has merely invoked trumped-up charges to harass Eritrea for other ulterior motives,: Eritrean Government said in its statement on Monday.
“In fact, the EU has been doggedly working to save and bring back to power the defunct TPLF clique and to undermine the region’s own efforts to address challenges and advance comprehensive and durable cooperation. The EU has particularly targeted Eritrea in a futile attempt to drive a wedge between Eritrea and Ethiopia,” the statement said.