Thank you Mr. President,

The Kingdom of the Netherlands thanks the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia for their important work and their report.

The Pretoria agreement remains a milestone in the pursuit of peace and justice for the people of Ethiopia. We commend the warring parties for their commitment to the ceasefire.

At the same time, we receive recurring reports of human rights violations and in particular violence against women and children, including those you describe in your report. In particular, we remain concerned about the consequences the continued presence of Eritrean forces on Ethiopian soil has on peoples’ human rights. In Amhara region, we strongly encourage state institutions to ensure the State of Emergency does not erode human rights or exacerbates ethnic-based targeting.

Commissioners,

In light of the findings you present in your report and the recent upsurge in fighting, what course of action do you advise for this Council to ensure it takes up its responsibility towards victims of human rights violations in Ethiopia?

Thank you.