Source: African Union
Press Statement on the official launch of the Commission of Inquiry on the Tigray Region in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
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The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), in accordance with its mandate of promotion and protection of human rights in Africa under Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter), hereby informs the general public that the Commission of Inquiry on Tigray will officially commence its work on 17 June 2021.
The Commission of Inquiry was established pursuant to ACHPR Resolution 482 (EXT.OS/XXXII) 2021 on the fact-finding mission to the Tigray region in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, adopted at the 32nd Extraordinary Session held virtually on 7 May 2021.
The Commission of Inquiry has a mandate to, inter alia, investigate allegations of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and to gather all relevant information so as to determine whether the allegations constitute serious and massive violations of human rights.
The Commission of Inquiry will begin its work in Banjul, Republic of The Gambia. It will conduct investigations on the ground and in neighbouring countries when the conditions are met. The Commission of Inquiry will sit for an initial period of three (3) months, which may subsequently be renewed.
The Commission of Inquiry will adhere to the principles of independence, confidentiality, impartiality and neutrality, ensuring the protection of those with whom it collaborates.
The Commission calls for the collaboration of all stakeholders to enable it to carry out its mission.
Information and other evidence can be sent to the following address:
[email protected]
African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Well, the world knows the political stand of the Chair person of Africa Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Moussa Faki, regarding to the war in Tigray; he has officially declared his support dictators Abiy and Issaias who have declared a war on the people of Tigray. Consequently, the neutrality and impartiality of the AUC led by Moussa Faki is brought into question regarding to the investigation on genocidal crimes committed by Amhara, Ethiopian, Eritrean and other foreign forces in Tigray. Therefore, the AUC should not be allowed to investigate the war atrocities committed in Tigray because AUC led by Moussa Faki is no longer reliable and cannot be helpful in the process to deliver justice.
Aa per previous experiences and reports on human right investigations in various African countries, AUC and other national human right organizations in the continent are inefficient and corrupt; their investigation failed war victims in Africa. Therefore, war atrocities committed in Tigray should not be investigated by these organizations. To serve justice to war victims in Tigray, the investigation must only be conducted by other neutral and independent bodies. For example, UN.
According to some credible sources, the commissioner appointed to lead the AUC on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Tigray is a close aide of Abiy; the person has also played a significant role in bringing Abiy to power. This clearly indicates the possibilities and opportunities how Abiy could play with his invisible hands and influence the investigation process and its outcome. This is also another reason why the AUC on Human and Peoples’ Rights should not be allowed to investigate the genocidal crimes committed by Amhara, Ethiopian, Eritrean and other foreign forces in Tigray.
Moreover, involving African institutions like AUC, Ethiopian Human right commission and other African ones in the investigation means denying justice for war victims in Tigray. Because these institutions are known for their service for African dictators at the cost of innocent lives. They are accused of their contribution to the failure of justice system in Africa.
Well, the world knows the polotical position of the chair person of Africa Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Musa faki, (MF) regarding to Tigray war. He has officially expressed his support to the dictators Abiy and Issaias who declared war against the people of Tigray. Consequently , the neutrality and impartiality of the AUC led by MF is brought into question regarding to the investigation on genocidal crimes committed by Amhara, Ethiopian, Eritrean and other foreign forces on innocent people of Tigray. This means that AUC has lost its credibility and should not be allowed to conduct the investigation in Tigray. AUC led by MF is no longer reliable institution to carry out the investigation; it is already baize on the matter and this will not help the investigation process that is aiming at serving justice for the victims of the war in Tigray.
Moreover, the person appointed by MF is to lead The AUC on human and peoples’ rights is an Ethiopian who is a close aide of Abiy and has also played a significant role to bring Abiy to power. The purpose of appointing such person for the position is not only to express the loyalty of MF to Abiy, but also to open up opportunities for Abiy to have influence on the investigation process and its outcome. This is also another reason why the AUC should not be allowed to investigate the genocidal crimes committed by the Ethiopian government and its allies in Tigray.
As per previous experiences and reports on human rights in Africa, the national African human right institutions and the AUC have no good reputation; they are inefficient and corrupt and they failed the war victims in the continent. Therefore, allowing such institutions to investigate the genocidal crimes in Tigray means denying justice for victims of the war in the region. Therefore, the investigation must be conducted by others; for example UN.
Victory to the people of Tigray!!!
I completely agree with the comment. As we have observed from the ongoing situation of the AU, it has lost its impariality and neutrality since the coming of Mousafaki. He claimed the war on Tigray as law offensive even after the reported atrocities. AUC has been sliding to to politically powerful and lacks genuity in standing for humanity.
In short, he could have condemn the war and ask the parties to come to table but he chose to encourage the Ethiopian Government and Eritreans to commit the Genocide.
Well said
the AU and its ‘human rights’ commission are a complete farce, by same collection of authoritarian dictatorships (aka Africa) that helped let Rwanda happen, and said ‘never again’ as their slogan after being caught red handed. I guess we know now that African lives indeed do not matter, as the colonial powers always said, and most all African powers (save Rwanda) now agree…
another sad day for humanity…
;-(