Open Letter to the United Nations

Subject: Ethiopia’s Violations of International Law and the Crisis of Enforced Disappearances

To: The United Nations Secretary-General and Member States,
CC: The United Nations Human Rights Council, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the United Nations Security Council.

Your Excellencies,

We write with grave concern regarding the Ethiopian government’s persistent and systemic campaign of enforced disappearances, particularly targeting the Tigrayan people. These crimes, which have escalated in scale and brutality since the onset of the war in Tigray in November 2020, constitute egregious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, demanding urgent international attention and accountability.

A History of Repression and Systematic Targeting

The enforced disappearances against Tigrayans is not a recent phenomenon. Dating back to the 1990s, Tigrayan communities in regions such as Irob faced abductions and disappearances during border disputes with Eritrea. However, the scale and intensity of these atrocities have reached unprecedented levels during the current war. Despite the signing of the Pretoria Agreement, which was intended to end hostilities, disappearances and related human rights abuses have continued unabated.

Since November 2020, Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF), and allied Amhara militias, including the notorious Fano militia, have abducted countless Tigrayan civilians under the guise of security operations. In urban centers such as Shire, Humera, and Alamata, young Tigrayans have been rounded up and forcibly disappeared, leaving families in perpetual anguish with no knowledge of their loved ones' whereabouts. This campaign is part of a broader strategy of ethnic cleansing, particularly in Western Tigray, Northwestern Tigray, Northern Tigray and Southern Tigray where entire communities have been uprooted and forcibly transferred.

State-Sanctioned Persecution and Transnational Repression

The Ethiopian government’s targeting of Tigrayans extends beyond war zones to include civilians in government institutions, the private sector, and the diaspora. Tigrayan members of Ethiopia’s armed forces and police have been forcibly disappeared under politically motivated charges, accused of disloyalty simply due to their ethnicity. The case of Samson Teklemichael, a Tigrayan businessman abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, exemplifies the regime’s alarming reach beyond Ethiopia’s borders. Disturbingly, Tigrayans repatriated from abroad have also faced enforced disappearances. Ethiopian authorities arbitrarily detained, mistreated, and forcibly disappeared thousands of ethnic Tigrayans deported from Saudi Arabia. This extraterritorial repression underscores Ethiopia’s blatant disregard for international norms and the sovereignty of host nations.

Egregious Violations of International Law

Enforced disappearances constitute grave violations of international law, including:

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) – Ethiopia’s actions violate the fundamental rights to life, liberty, and security of the person as guaranteed under Articles 6 and 9.
The Convention Against Torture (CAT) – Victims of enforced disappearances often endure inhumane treatment and torture, in direct violation of Ethiopia’s obligations under CAT.
The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights – Ethiopia is failing to uphold the dignity, freedom, and security of individuals as outlined in this regional instrument.
The Geneva Conventions – The forced displacement and abduction of civilians constitute war crimes under these internationally binding treaties.
Crimes Against Humanity under the Rome Statute – The widespread and systematic nature of enforced disappearances in Ethiopia meets the threshold for crimes against humanity, necessitating international legal scrutiny and prosecution.

Despite these clear violations, Ethiopia has consistently refused to investigate or prosecute those responsible. The failure to hold perpetrators accountable perpetuates a culture of impunity, emboldening further atrocities.

The Human Toll of Enforced Disappearances

Beyond the legal implications, the impact on families and communities is devastating. Families of the disappeared endure psychological trauma, economic hardship, and prolonged uncertainty. Many children are left orphaned, and entire communities live in fear, with the knowledge that their ethnic identity makes them a target. These disappearances are not just isolated incidents; they are part of a calculated effort to dismantle the Tigrayan identity and community.

The International Community's Moral and Legal Responsibility

We urge the United Nations and the international community to act decisively in response to Ethiopia’s and Eritrea’s campaign of enforced disappearances. Specifically, we call for:

An Independent International Investigation – A UN-mandated inquiry into enforced disappearances, with access to affected regions and victims' families.
Referral to the International Criminal Court (ICC) – Given the magnitude and systematic nature of these crimes, Ethiopia must be held accountable at the highest level.
Targeted Sanctions – Impose sanctions on Ethiopian and Eritrean officials, military leaders, and entities directly involved in enforced disappearances and related abuses.
Pressure for Compliance with International Law – Leverage diplomatic and economic tools to compel Ethiopia to adhere to its obligations under international human rights treaties.
Protection for Tigrayan Refugees and Diaspora – Urgent measures must be taken to safeguard Tigrayans living in Tigray and abroad, who remain at risk of transnational repression.

The ongoing inaction of the international community risks emboldening further atrocities and undermining the principles of human rights and justice that the United Nations stands for. Ethiopia’s and Eritrea’s enforced disappearances are not just an internal issue; they are a test of the international community’s resolve to uphold its commitments to human dignity and accountability.

Your Excellencies,

The people of Tigray have suffered long enough. The continued silence and indifference toward their plight amount to complicity. We implore the United Nations to take a firm stance against Ethiopia’s and Eritrea’s violations and to act decisively in the pursuit of justice and accountability.

Sincerely,

Individuals

Saron Belay

Donek Zemo

Batseba Seifu

Mengsteab Abraha Berihe

Goyteom Gebreegziabher

Redae Nigus Girmay

Solomon Assefa Teklehaimanot

Charlotte Touati

Ephrem Haileslassie

Ephrem Sahle

Fseha Kidane

Mehreteab Zereabruk

Guanshe Hadgu Asfiha

Alem Asfaw Mekonnen

Mehari Gebru

Merid Eyasu

Girmay Desta

Birhan G.Mezgbo

Teklit Ambaye

Meron Teklu

Solomon Gebremichael

Woldegebrial Zeweld

Douglas Merrick

Noah-Sarang Richard Douglas Merrick

Guush Berhane

Goitom Mekonen

Fetsum Berhane

Temesgen Kahsay

Gidey Belay

Awot Haileslassie

Meaza Gebremedhin

Melaku Hailu

Hiab Teshome

Gebrehiwot Gebreab

Mekonen kidane

Atsede G/hiwet

Zeray Hailemariam Abebe

Organizations

Voice for Democracy and Social Justice

Peace and Justice for Tigreans International (PJTI)

Tigray Youth Network

Rise Up For Tigray

Dekna Foundation

Advocacy for Justice and Democracy (Tegezo)

OMNA Tigray

Ethiopian Canadians for Peace