Recommendations & Conclusions
11 items
3
Recommendation
Tenth Report - The humanitarian situati…
Not Addressed
We urge the UK Government to redouble its efforts to seek an end to the conflict, using all the diplomatic means at its disposal. It should work multilaterally through organisations such as the UN and the African Union, and bilaterally with its partners, the Ethiopian Government, neighbouring states, and representatives …
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We urge the UK Government to redouble its efforts to seek an end to the conflict, using all the diplomatic means at its disposal. It should work multilaterally through organisations such as the UN and the African Union, and bilaterally with its partners, the Ethiopian Government, neighbouring states, and representatives of the parties to the conflict, to foster peace through an inclusive political settlement.
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Government response AI summary
The government responds by detailing its support for joint human rights investigations in Tigray and engagement with the African Union on inquiries, but does not address the recommendation to redouble diplomatic efforts to seek an end to the conflict and foster a political settlement.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
4
Recommendation
Tenth Report - The humanitarian situati…
Not Addressed
We are appalled by the distressing reports of human rights abuses, gender-based violence and sexual violence in Tigray. The horrors that have been inflicted on people and their suffering during this conflict are unimaginable, and we are particularly saddened that, once again, women and girls are being targeted. It is …
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We are appalled by the distressing reports of human rights abuses, gender-based violence and sexual violence in Tigray. The horrors that have been inflicted on people and their suffering during this conflict are unimaginable, and we are particularly saddened that, once again, women and girls are being targeted. It is essential that the fighting ends as soon as possible. The services needed to support those who have suffered so terribly must be restored and expanded to meet present and future needs without further delay. It is crucial that these crimes are investigated and that those responsible face justice. We are particularly saddened by the targeting and killing of aid workers.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response focuses on FCDO staff training for atrocity prevention and existing reporting mechanisms for human rights violations, but does not directly address the committee's call for an end to fighting, restoration of services, or investigation and justice for crimes in Tigray.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
6
Recommendation
Tenth Report - The humanitarian situati…
Not Addressed
In line with the recent G7 statement on the importance of an independent, transparent and impartial investigation into crimes reported in Tigray, the UK Government should work with the appropriate authorities to enable access for independent monitors to 4 The humanitarian situation in Tigray Tigray to ensure that evidence of …
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In line with the recent G7 statement on the importance of an independent, transparent and impartial investigation into crimes reported in Tigray, the UK Government should work with the appropriate authorities to enable access for independent monitors to 4 The humanitarian situation in Tigray Tigray to ensure that evidence of the crimes that have been committed is secured and to bring those who are responsible to justice. The Government should continue to press for clarity on how the joint investigations by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights will work.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response focuses on ensuring general humanitarian access and safety, and reducing conflict, but does not directly address the recommendation for the UK government to work towards enabling access for independent monitors for crime investigations or pressing for clarity on joint investigations in Tigray.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
7
Recommendation
Tenth Report - The humanitarian situati…
Not Addressed
Drawing upon lessons learned from other atrocities, we recommend that FCDO arranges atrocity prevention training for staff at the British Embassy in Addis Ababa and neighbouring posts as a matter of urgency and designates a named atrocity prevention lead. Staff in these posts should have clear lines of communication to …
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Drawing upon lessons learned from other atrocities, we recommend that FCDO arranges atrocity prevention training for staff at the British Embassy in Addis Ababa and neighbouring posts as a matter of urgency and designates a named atrocity prevention lead. Staff in these posts should have clear lines of communication to colleagues in Whitehall so they can quickly raise and respond to concerns about human rights abuses. Furthermore, the FCDO should embed an atrocity prevention strategy in its updated country strategy for Ethiopia and neighbouring states. (Paragraph 23) Humanitarian needs
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Government response AI summary
The government's response focuses on humanitarian needs, aid redirection, and donor coordination for the Tigray response, completely failing to address the recommendation for atrocity prevention training, a designated lead, or an embedded strategy.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
10
Recommendation
Tenth Report - The humanitarian situati…
Not Addressed
We recommend that the FCDO monitors OCHA’s situation reports carefully to rapidly identify any areas where needs are unmet or are growing faster than expected so that it can respond rapidly and flexibly to provide the support needed. We also recommend that, as the situation on the ground becomes clearer, …
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We recommend that the FCDO monitors OCHA’s situation reports carefully to rapidly identify any areas where needs are unmet or are growing faster than expected so that it can respond rapidly and flexibly to provide the support needed. We also recommend that, as the situation on the ground becomes clearer, the FCDO assesses whether its current humanitarian contribution is adequate to ensure that the basic needs of communities are met.
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Government response AI summary
The government response outlines its priorities for ending hostilities and supporting political settlement and reconstruction planning, but does not address the specific recommendations for FCDO to monitor OCHA reports or assess its humanitarian contributions.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
11
Recommendation
Tenth Report - The humanitarian situati…
Not Addressed
Food security is a crucial component of the emergency response and we are deeply concerned by reports that hunger is being used in the conflict to achieve political ends. With the FCDO having appointed a Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs, the UK is well-placed to lead international …
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Food security is a crucial component of the emergency response and we are deeply concerned by reports that hunger is being used in the conflict to achieve political ends. With the FCDO having appointed a Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs, the UK is well-placed to lead international efforts in not only condemning these actions, but coordinating action against them. We recommend that, in accordance with UN resolution 2417 (2018), the UK Government should explore whether to use the mechanisms of the UN Security Council to press for penalties such as sanctions against actors found to be obstructing the delivery of essential humanitarian supplies and using starvation as a weapon of war.
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Government response AI summary
The government states its total financial support and general diplomatic engagement, but does not address the recommendation to explore using UN Security Council mechanisms for sanctions against those obstructing aid or using starvation as a weapon of war.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
12
Conclusion
Tenth Report - The humanitarian situati…
Not Addressed
The provision and distribution of lifesaving humanitarian assistance, such as shelter, food and medicine, is a vital first stage in the response to the situation in Tigray. The humanitarian situation in Tigray 5 Following this, the restoration of basic services such as schools and hospitals will be key in both …
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The provision and distribution of lifesaving humanitarian assistance, such as shelter, food and medicine, is a vital first stage in the response to the situation in Tigray. The humanitarian situation in Tigray 5 Following this, the restoration of basic services such as schools and hospitals will be key in both responding to current needs and starting the path towards post-conflict reconstruction. Health and social services are critical. Many of those who have suffered trauma and violence will need specialist support, and health services are essential if communities in Tigray are to cope with the ongoing pandemic and avoid the worst of its secondary impacts. Without access to education, children will grow up without the skills and knowledge needed to ensure the ongoing development of their communities. The restoration of services such as banking and markets will help to alleviate some of the pressure on the people in Tigray. After such severe and sustained disruption, local governance structures will require significant support if they are to restore these services for affected communities.
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Government response AI summary
The government's response described the FCDO's general methods for conflict analysis and resolution and the role of its new conflict centre, but did not specifically address the observed needs for humanitarian assistance or the restoration of basic services in Tigray.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
47
Conclusion
Tenth Report - The humanitarian situati…
Not Addressed
We commend the work of aid agencies in their provision of lifesaving assistance to communities in Tigray, despite the extraordinarily difficult circumstances in which they are delivering this help. It is likely that the number of people whose basic needs are not met will grow as the conflict continues. In …
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We commend the work of aid agencies in their provision of lifesaving assistance to communities in Tigray, despite the extraordinarily difficult circumstances in which they are delivering this help. It is likely that the number of people whose basic needs are not met will grow as the conflict continues. In addition, as humanitarian agencies reach parts of Tigray that have so far been inaccessible, they will discover many more cases of unmet need, creating a widening gap between the level of need and the provision that has been made.
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Government response AI summary
The government response is an exact restatement of the Committee's conclusion, offering no additional information or specific governmental action.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
59
Conclusion
Tenth Report - The humanitarian situati…
On 12 March the Ethiopian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations reiterated Ethiopia’s readiness to engage constructively on the situation in Tigray and urged the international community to support Ethiopia’s “… ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts to restore lasting peace and normalcy ….”.133
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On 12 March the Ethiopian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations reiterated Ethiopia’s readiness to engage constructively on the situation in Tigray and urged the international community to support Ethiopia’s “… ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts to restore lasting peace and normalcy ….”.133
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Government response · verbatim
Focusing on addressing critical humanitarian needs, bringing about an end to hostilities and supporting a sustainable political settlement should remain the priority. The humanitarian response should take into consideration longer term implications of its actions. Given the dynamic situation it is too early for detailed …
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
60
Conclusion
Tenth Report - The humanitarian situati…
Not Addressed
On 16 March the Ethiopian Government reported it had reached 4.2 million citizens through the relief and the rehabilitation process that was underway. It said it was providing 70% of the food assistance, with 30% coming from development partners and NGOs.134 132 Letter from Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Secretary dated …
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On 16 March the Ethiopian Government reported it had reached 4.2 million citizens through the relief and the rehabilitation process that was underway. It said it was providing 70% of the food assistance, with 30% coming from development partners and NGOs.134 132 Letter from Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Secretary dated 12 April 2021 133 ENA, Ethiopia Urges Int l Community to Increase Support in Tigray, 12 March 2021 134 ENA, Gov’t Reaches 4.2 million Relief Beneficiaries in Tigray, 16 Mar 2021 24 The humanitarian situation in Tigray The UK Government response: funding and regional strategy
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Government response AI summary
The government expresses concern about the dire humanitarian situation and human rights violations in Tigray, stating that the UN assesses far fewer people have received food assistance than the Ethiopian government reported, and much of the region remains inaccessible.
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
61
Conclusion
Tenth Report - The humanitarian situati…
The UK Government has said that “Ethiopia is a strategically important partner for the UK in tackling poverty, regional instability and irregular migration”135 and that it “relies on a stable Ethiopia that is supportive of our foreign policy priorities in the Horn of Africa.”136, 137 The former DFID’s vision of …
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The UK Government has said that “Ethiopia is a strategically important partner for the UK in tackling poverty, regional instability and irregular migration”135 and that it “relies on a stable Ethiopia that is supportive of our foreign policy priorities in the Horn of Africa.”136, 137 The former DFID’s vision of Ethiopia was that “by 2020 Ethiopia is transforming into a stable, industrialised, resilient, more inclusive country, able to self- finance its way out of poverty and harness the potential of its youth.”138 The Integrated Review, published in March 2021, names Ethiopia as a partner in furthering shared prosperity goals, democratic values and security interests.139 In November 2020, the FCDO said, All parties to this conflict need to want to find a political solution and accept regional offers of mediation, to avoid a looming humanitarian crisis and the spread of fighting and suffering to other countries in the region. The UK has been a longstanding supporter of Ethiopia, which has established itself as a beacon of reform in Africa. This conflict is putting all of those reform efforts at risk.140 There is already unrest in other parts of Ethiopia ahead of the expected elections in June. There is violence and unrest in Amhara region and a part of Benishangul-Gumuz Region, home to the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (itself a source of tension with Egypt and Sudan) was taken over by an armed group in April.141
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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office