POLS2113 Human RightsResearch Presentation
POLS2113 Human RightsResearch Presentation
Evaluate the consequences of the human rights violations committed during the Tigray War.
10-minute PowerPoint presentation, recorded and uploaded
Introduction
This presentation will seek to provide a background understanding pertaining to the human rights violations experienced during the Tigray War, as well as begin an evaluation of the consequences of these. War crimes and crimes against humanity such as massacres of civilians, weaponised starvation, ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, and sexual slavery have led to a devastating humanitarian crisis in the region. A number of tables will be used to illustrate empirical research and data throughout the presentation. Please pause and read for further details.
BACKGROUND Contemporary Empirical Case Study
The primary actors in this War are:
The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), a political party that represents the Tigrayan ethnic group who fought against the Ethiopian government for self-determination and regional autonomy.
The Tigray Defence Forces (TDF), a militia group formed by the TPLF.
The Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), the national army of Ethiopia, who fought to restore federal control over Tigray.
The Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF), the national army of Eritrea, who fought alongside the ENDF in the Tigray War.
A number of other actors have participated in the conflict, further complicating the narrative. Individual political agendas determine the involvement of each group. An illustration of this are other Ethiopian regions militias and rebel groups seeking to expand their own territory or become independent from the state, such as the Oromia and Amhara regions.
BACKGROUND Historical, Political, and Sociological Context
The historical and political contexts for the Tigray War is, like in many ethnic clashes, extremely complex. The imperialist arbitrary determination of border lines ensured that tensions between ethnic and cultural groups forced together exacerbated.
The TPLF overthrew the previous military junta of the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (PDRE) in 1991 and installed a new government that ruled Ethiopia for two decades.
The political party represents the Tigrayan ethnic group, which makes up about 6% of Ethiopia's population.
During this time, it was accused of human rights abuses and of favouring Tigrayans over other ethnic groups, leading to resentment among these.
The TPLF was removed from federal government control in 2018.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power and began a series of reforms including releasing political prisoners and opening up the political space.
The TPLF, unhappy with these reforms which they thought would centralise power and destroy Ethiopia's federal system, began to withdraw from the federal government.
In September 2020, Tigray defied the central government (which had postponed national elections because of coronavirus) to hold its own regional election.
In October, the central government suspended funding for Tigray, which Tigray's administration said amounted to a "declaration of war".
In November, the TPLF attacked an ENDF military base in Tigray.
The Ethiopian government responded by launching a military offensive against the TPLF.
A sociological consideration in the conflict is the role of women, who have been disproportionately affected by the War as victims of violence. A 2021 report by Amnesty International found that Ethiopian and Eritrean forces had carried out widespread sexual violence against women and girls in Tigray. The report documented cases of rape, gang rape, and sexual slavery. Rebel groups have also been accused of sexual violence. Lastly, the rise of ethnic nationalism, the weakening of the Ethiopian state, and the growing influence of external actors such as Eritrea and the United States are relevant to a background understanding of this case study.
BACKGROUND Human Rights Abuses
The UN Human Rights Office has documented serious human rights abuses perpetrated by both sides in the War. In a report released in 2021, the UN found that there was "credible evidence" that both sides had committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Ethiopian government has been accused of indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas, blocking food and medical aid from reaching Tigray, using child soldiers as young as 12, and carrying out mass killings. The TPLF has been accused of using child soldiers of the same ages, committing sexual violence, and looting.
The UN estimates that over 5 million people have been displaced from their homes, and over 400,000 people are facing famine conditions. Humanitarian aid workers have been attacked and killed, making it difficult to deliver aid to those in need.
Importance from a Human Rights Perspective
Here you can see a table of relevant international human rights treaties or norms. This is not a comprehensive list of all human rights abuses reported, rather a visual illustration of firstly the amount of formally designated human rights that have been violated.
And secondly the consequences of national events on future state development (illustrated through the Sustainable Development Goal violation).
Interest from a Human Rights Perspective
This conflict has been of great preoccupation on a global scale. The following tables illustrate the statements and actions made by the international community concerning the conflict in Tigray. The human rights abuses formerly analysed are a major violation of international law, and the international community has been largely united in its condemnation of the war and its call for an end to the fighting.
However, there has been some disagreement about how to best achieve these goals. The UN has been faced with a number of challenges, including the lack of cooperation from the Ethiopian government and the security situation in Tigray.
NGOs have played a crucial role in documenting human rights abuses as well as raising awareness and pressuring the parties to end the war and to respect human rights. They have also lobbied the international community to take action to end the war and to address the humanitarian crisis at large. However, more needs to be done to ensure that the perpetrators of human rights abuses are held accountable and that those affected by the war receive the assistance they need.
Theoretical Analysis and Why This Approach
A theoretical analysis of the consequences of human rights violations assists in the evaluation of these, together with their enduring impact. This lasting impact can often be more far-reaching than predicted: impacting individuals, communities, states, and regions;
Continuing to be felt for generations post-conflict. It is important to understand the consequences of human rights violations in order to prevent them from happening, and to address them when they do occur.
Preliminary Findings and Conclusion 150 words
The in-depth evaluation of the consequences of these violations will be completed in the research essay. However, the preliminary findings are that they have not only had momentous effects on the entire state of Ethiopia short-term in the present day but will have continuing overwhelming repercussions in the region. These violations have had a profound impact on the physical and mental health of the people of Tigray, as well as their economic and social well-being.
For the effects of human rights abuses to be diminished over time, these must be investigated, perpetrators must be prosecuted, and transitional justice must be pursued. The international community can take certain steps to address these violations and their consequences. The Ethiopian government must cooperate with peace seeking parties to defuse the local situation, as well as allow for the safe provision of humanitarian aid to those in need.
References
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Amnesty International. Ethiopia: Troops and Militia Rape, Abduct Women and Girls in Tigray Conflict New Report. Amnesty International, November 1, 2021. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2021/08/ethiopia-troops-and-militia-rape-abduct-women-and-girls-in-tigray-conflict-new-report/.
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