Topic:
Country: Estonia
Delegate Name: Alex Garcia
Country: Estonia
Delegate Name: Alex Garcia
Topic: Situation in Tigray
Committee: Security Council
Estonia continues to express its apprehensions concerning the ongoing violent affair in Tigray. The conflict between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray rebels has produced a humanitarian catastrophe, with many falling victim to the bloodshed and the food scarcity that corresponds with it. Estonia’s only interests in this conflict are in ensuring humanitarian access to those affected, securing human rights under international law, and procuring a stable peace.
Approximately 5.2 million people in the region are in need of food aid and 400,000 are under famine-like conditions. Given this predicament, it is exigent that humanitarian access to the region remains unmolested. Noting Security Council resolution 2417, which acknowledges the connection between armed conflict and food insecurity and condemns the use of starvation as a weapon of war, Estonia urges all parties to the conflict to allow humanitarian aid into affected areas, and is alarmed at reports of obstruction of humanitarian actions and violence against aid workers. Estonia also expresses grave concern at the Ethiopian government’s diplomatic actions against UN officials, along with its recent expulsion of Irish diplomats, and calls on the government to cooperate with the international community in alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Tigray.
Estonia reiterates its exhortations for all parties to commence negotiations for a permanent ceasefire. Recalling the recent Report of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission/Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Joint Investigation into Alleged Violations of International Human Rights, Humanitarian and Refugee Law Committed by all Parties to the Conflict in the Tigray Region of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, which detailed credible evidence of human rights violations by all parties involved in the conflict, Estonia maintains that a comprehensive and secure political process is the only way to terminate the conflict and create a sustainable peace out of a violent and convoluted state of affairs. Specifically noting reports of atrocities committed by Eritrean troops in the region, Estonia urges their immediate withdrawal. Any actions taken by the Security Council should be focused on ensuring adequate humanitarian access to conflict-affected areas and preparing any necessary infrastructure for ceasefire negotiations and political reconciliation.
