Most of those conscripted in Tigray were under 18 years of age, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission says
Borkena News Desk
TORONTO, Canada — The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on Sunday released a statement saying it is following with “concern” the forced military conscription of youth in the Tigray region, restrictions on freedom of expression, and military activities in areas adjacent to Tigray that have resulted in human rights violations.
The commission said it found that the “region” (not to be confused with the Interim Administration established under the Pretoria Agreement) enacted and implemented a mandatory military conscription law. The regional council that enacted the law was elected in 2020 without recognition from the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia. At the time, the National Electoral Board had postponed the election on the grounds of the coronavirus pandemic.
The commission also noted that the regional council was dissolved following the signing of the Pretoria Agreement in November 2022, which ended the two-year war between the TPLF and the federal government. It said the forced conscription law also violates Articles 51 and 52 of the Federal Constitution.
Implementation of the mandatory conscription law began on June 24 this year. It stipulates that anyone born in the Tigray region is obligated to respond to a call for military service. Those who fail to comply face fines ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 Ethiopian birr. Individuals engaged in advocacy against the law face prison terms ranging from five to 25 years. The law is also to be implemented retrospectively.
Furthermore, the new law grants law enforcement bodies the authority to conduct searches and detain individuals at any time and in any place.
EHRC’s findings from its follow-up on developments in the Tigray region indicate the conscription of child soldiers, which the commission said violates the 1949 Geneva Conventions. “Because it is being implemented by an armed group outside of the government, it may be considered a war crime…,” EHRC said. It also pointed out that the practice violates the United Nations protocol on children’s rights.
EHRC also alleged that there were patterns of forced conscription involving youth, children, displaced persons, and mentally ill individuals in the region even before the enactment of the law legalizing mandatory military conscription.
Another finding cited by EHRC is that most of those conscripted are under 18 years of age. It said it has “confirmed” the claim.
The statement also reported instances of human rights violations resulting from conflicts in January and May of this year. During the May conflict in Selenwuha Kebele, a father and his child, both civilians, were killed. The conflicts in the northwestern part of the region and the Raya area also displaced residents, many of whom continue to live under difficult conditions without adequate food or water.
Berhanu Adelo, EHRC Commissioner, called on the armed group in the region (TPLF) and other relevant entities to refrain from actions that aggravate tension and conflict and to respect human rights. He also called for political dialogue to resolve political differences.
“The mandatory military conscription document enacted in the region recently is one that violates international law, does not have constitutional grounding, and has caused recurring human rights violations,” the commissioner said, calling for an end to its implementation.
In a related development, a video circulating on social media since Saturday purportedly shows residents of Mekelle throwing rocks at a bus allegedly used by TPLF forces for military conscription.
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Debre and his goons are now rounding up underage children to beef up his army not to protect the noble people of Tigray but to use them as human shields around him and his gangsters. The fact is there are no issues that can not be addressed and solved through peaceful dialogue at the table in any region of that country. Those who chose the violent ways are those thirsty and addicted of personal power and grew up idolizing banditry. They are never known to usher in peace, security and democracy where no one will be above the law. There have been none in modern history of the world.