A hunger emergency is looming for scores of South Sudanese families fleeing the war in Sudan, the World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday.
Looming hunger emergency for South Sudanese families fleeing war
Saudi Arabia has no water and is looking for a “green” way to get it
The full-fledged Saudi Arabia will have the heaviest smoke in the world of fossil fuels for many years to come. The company invests in technologies and expands its geopolitical influence through the internet and oceans. It is expected to take a little more than 15 years to fulfill its purpose.
There is only one problem. Big problem – no water.
For years, the full-fledged monopoly has been making the public drinkers sick, but they have a contract, and together with them – and the problems for the environment, writes “France Press” in its material, a response to alternative technologies that can save Saudi Arabia not just from thirst, but also from the ecological catastrophe.
Context: The site does not have a basement, but the rains on the ground and the renovation have always caused problems with the stickiness of the drinking water. Prince Mohammed al-Faysal is the inventor who first seriously considered the idea of supplying antartic ice, but then in 1970 he began to lose an unprecedented in terms of scale and infection type for the desalination of sea water.
Today, it produces 11.5 million cubic meters of water through 30 installations, through which households and agricultural producers are supplied at any time of the day and year. ata. The process, however, is not cheap. According to data from 2010, it required 1.5 million barrels per day – or 15% of today’s production. New data have not been presented to the public and the media.
The big challenge is the increasing population, which Prince Moxamed wants to be 100 million souls by 2040 to 32.2 million days. The capital city of Piedmont consumes 1.6 million cubic meters of water per day, and according to local estimates, by the end of this decade, this figure will increase to 6 million cubic meters.
Details: The rapid and large-scale hacking of immigration systems is a matter of “life and death” for Saudi Arabia, writes the historian Michael Christopher Low from the University of Uttah the one who researched the water supply problems of the city.
This is precisely what the West is doing, and it is possible that it will reach a conflict between water needs and ambitions for carbon neutrality in the world by 2060.
One of the ways to avoid this is the gradual replacement of the installations of fossil fuels with those that work on the principle of reverse osmosis. This is “Jazla” near the city of Jubail. It uses loop energy and is the first on the floor.
The goal is to save around 60,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Solar power will increase 6-fold by 2025 – from 120 megawatts per day to 770 megawatts.
This will again be expensive, experts admit, but at least there will be a smaller effect on the surrounding area. And Caydite Apabia is not isolated from climatic changes and they can easily turn into such a big problem for the national security, as well as the lack of water.
Photo by Aleksandr Slobodianyk: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-water-drop-989959/
Karabakh: Humanitarians respond to growing health needs
Concerns also remain for those unable to leave the Karabakh Region town of Khankendi – known as Stepanakert among Armenians – which the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said was close to empty.
Its priority remains finding those too vulnerable to help themselves.
Deserted city
“The city is now completely deserted. The hospitals, more than one, are not functioning,” said Marco Succi, ICRC Head of Rapid Deployment.
“The medical personnel have left. The water board authorities left. The director of the morgue…the stakeholders we were working with before, have also left. This scene is quite surreal.”
Mr. Succi confirmed that electricity and water were still available in the city and that the priority was to find those “extremely vulnerable cases, elderly, mentally disabled people, the people left without anybody”.
Helpless and alone
This included an elderly cancer patient, Susanna, who had been found in the last few days in a fourth-floor apartment building “alone and unable to get out of her bed.
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“Neighbours had left her food and water several days beforehand but their supplies were running out. While she waited for help, she had started to lose all hope. After ensuring she was stable, she was evacuated by ambulance into Armenia.”
Among the humanitarian relief destined for the city, the ICRC official reported that some 300 food parcels were expected to arrive on Tuesday from Goris, a key point of entry from the Karabakh Region, to provide essential commodities to those left behind.
“Many people left their houses and shops open for those who may be in need,” said Mr. Succi, reporting how an elderly lady had cleaned her fridge and house, “leaving the door open to ventilate the house, you know, for the newcomers”.
Massive influx
Echoing the urgency of the situation in neighbouring Armenia, the UN World Health Organization’s Dr. Marthe Everard, Special Representative of the WHO Regional Director to Armenia, said that the country’s health system needed to be strengthened to cope with the “massive” influx of refugees.
Speaking to journalists in Geneva via Zoom after returning from the town of Goris, Dr. Everard said that infectious diseases needed to be monitored and treated, while measles vaccination gaps should also be addressed.
Mental health and psychosocial support remained “critical”, she insisted.
Additional urgent needs among the new arrivals beside shelter included treatment for chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and cancer, the WHO official continued, noting the agency’s commitment to support the “extensive” efforts of the Armenian Government.
Integrating health workers
“This includes supporting the integration of more than 2,000 nurses and over 2,200 doctors into the Armenian health system,” Dr Everard said.
The WHO official also noted that the UN agency had scaled up emergency support to Armenia by providing supplies to help treat more than 200 adults and children who received terrible burns in the fuel depot explosion in Karabakh last week, which also claimed 170 lives.
A specialist burns team had also been deployed as part of WHO Emergency Medical Teams Initiative and arrived in Yerevan over the weekend, Dr. Erevard said. “We have issued a wider call for further specialist teams to complement this workforce and to support moving some of these most critical patients to specialized centres abroad.”
700 babies close to term
UNFPA, the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, is mobilizing health and protection services for tens of thousands of women and girls that have fled Karabakh.
Among the refugees, there are an estimated 2,070 women who are currently pregnant and nearly 700 are expected to give birth over the next three months.
In collaboration with Armenia’s health ministry, UNFPA said it would be delivering 20 reproductive health kits that will meet the needs of a population of up to 150,000, including equipment and supplies to help women deliver safely and to manage obstetric emergencies.
The agency has also distributed 13,000 dignity kits, which include sanitary pads, soap and shampoo.
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European Unity in Focus: EP President Metsola Receives Prestigious In Veritate Award
Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament was honoured with the “2023 In Veritate Award” for her commendable efforts in integrating Christian and European ideals as reported by COMECE. The award ceremony took place on Friday, September 29 2023 during the XXIII International Krakow Conference. Fr. Barrios Prieto commended Metsola’s commitment to democracy Christian values and advancing European integration as a true inspiration to many. This year’s conference theme focused on “Consequences of the War. What will Europe be like? What will Poland be like?” explicitly exploring “The Role of Christians in the European Integration Process”.
The In Veritate Award serves as a tribute to individuals who have demonstrated skill in harmonizing Christian and European principles. It is named after H.E. Mgr Tadeusz Pieronek, a Polish prelate and one of the founders of the International Krakow Conference.
In her acceptance speech upon receiving the “2023 Bishop Tadeusz Pieronek In Veritate Award” Roberta Metsola emphasized the importance of upholding our values in a world plagued by war crimes and human rights violations. She highlighted how Christian and European values serve as a foundation for shaping a future European Union that includes like-minded democracies such as Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and countries, in the Western Balkans.
Metsola emphasized the importance of shared beliefs and interests as well as the responsibility to support them.
“Our Christian and European values anchor us, they will help us prepare for a future European Union in which like-minded democracies such as Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and the Western Balkans will be included. We share common beliefs and interests, and it is our responsibility not to let them down”
Father Manuel Barrios Prieto, Secretary General of COMECE expressed his gratitude to President Metsola and reiterated her commitment to democracy, Christian values and the promotion of European integration as an exemplary model.
The prestigious In Veritate Award was also presented to Reverend Andrzej Boniecki MIC, the Honorary editor-in-chief of the publication “Tygodnik Powszechny.”
A video message from His Excellency Monsignor Janusz Stepnowski, Bishop Delegate of the Polish Episcopate to COMECE and President of the COMECE Commission on Culture and Education conveyed congratulations to both recipients.
Father Barrios Prieto highlighted the significance of this Conference as a platform for dialogue among politics, academia, media, Church representatives and civil society during his opening remarks. He echoed Pope Francis’s aspirations for unity and peace in Europe today while calling for a revival of the European spirit that goes beyond immediate concerns or national boundaries. He emphasized diplomacy that fosters unity rather than exacerbating divisions.
This event was an endeavour by multiple organizations including the Bishop Tadeusz Pieronek Foundation, COMECE (Commission of Bishops Conferences of the European Union) The Robert Schuman Foundation, The European Peoples Party Group, in the European Parliament and its Polish delegation.
World News in Brief: ‘Competing’ efforts to rebuild Derna, Myanmar mines threat, schools shut in Burkina Faso
Abdoulaye Bathily, who is also UN Special Representative, said that plans floated by different institutions and leaders for reconstruction, run the risk of deepening the existing rift between the internationally recognized Government and rival administration in the east.
He added that rebuilding could be impeded without an agreed plan going forward, and that failure to unify was “at odds with the outpouring of solidarity, support and national unity shown by Libyan people from all corners of the country in response to the crisis.”
“UNSMIL calls on all relevant Libyan national and local authorities and Libya’s international partners to facilitate agreement on a unified and coordinated Libyan national mechanism to direct the recovery and reconstruction efforts and to ensure transparency and accountability”, the UNSMIL chief said.
Oil rich Libya has been in turmoil since the overthrow of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, which gave rise to rival power centres across the country and crises on multiple fronts, which have sucked in other regional powers to the simmering conflicts.
Urging Libya’s leaders “to rise above divisions and come together to agree on a unified response to the reconstruction needs”, the UN Special Representative said the disaster caused by Storm Daniel – which has killed thousands and destroyed swathes of the northeast – “also underscores the imperative to expedite negotiations on breaking the political stalemate.”
Myanmar: humanitarian needs, landmine threats surge: OCHA
In Myanmar, conflict and monsoon floods continue to cause new displacement, civilian casualties and destruction of civilian properties, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation there, the UN said on Monday.
According to the UN’s humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA), nearly two million people are internally displaced “in precarious conditions” and require lifesaving assistance. More than 63,000 people remain displaced across borders into neighbouring countries since the 2021 military takeover.
OCHA said that the threat to civilians from explosive ordnance is spreading and that for the first time, anti-personnel landmine casualties have now been recorded in every state and region, except the capital Nay Pyi Taw.
At least 1.8 million people have been reached with aid in the first half of the year, but OCHA warned that access and administrative restrictions are causing “prolonged delays or postponements of scheduled relief efforts”, adding to the suffering of affected and displaced communities.
To date, the humanitarian response plan and the flash appeal launched following May’s deadly Cyclone Mocha, for a combined amount of $887 million, remain “critically underfunded” at only 28 per cent, OCHA said.
Over 6,000 schools still closed in Burkina Faso: UNICEF
UNICEF on Monday alerted that with the new school year starting, more than 6,000 schools remain closed because of violence and insecurity in parts of the country.
That means that one in four schools in Burkina Faso are closed, impacting some one million children.
In addition to this, at least 230 schools also currently serve as temporary shelters for more than 52,000 displaced people.
UNICEF said that more than 3.8 million girls and boys are still managing to attend school, including in regions impacted by conflict.
“Our colleagues are working with the Ministry of Education and have helped over 760,000 children through formal education, accelerated schooling strategies, vocational training and education by radio”, said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
Around 5.5 million men, women and children need humanitarian assistance in Burkina Faso – 3.2 million of them children.
We’re better off thanks to migrants, says new IOM chief
Speaking to reporters in Geneva on her first official day as head of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope said that migrants were “people first” who should not be seen as a problem.
That distinction was more critical than ever today, the IOM Director-General added, noting that it is almost 10 years since a migrant shipwreck off the Italian coastline on 3 October 2013 claimed more than 368 lives. It was the agency’s biggest fear that such tragedies “have been normalized”, Ms. Pope said.
“These are people first before we label them as migrants or asylum seekers or anything else, and valuing their human life, recognizing their dignity is key to everything we say and do and whichever Member State we work with,” Ms. Pope said.
“Especially as we are reaching the anniversary of Lampedusa, it’s an important moment to recognize and recall that ultimately this isn’t about a problem, this is about people.”
Recurring vulnerabilities
Migration was not about to end any time soon, Ms. Pope continued, given the huge impact of climate shocks, conflict, persecution and other destabilizing influences on fragile communities around the world, from Latin America to Europe, Asia and Africa. There are some 280 million migrants worldwide.
“We know already that there have been tens of millions of people who are on the move just this year as a result of climate impact. There are hundreds of millions more who live in extremely climate vulnerable communities,” she said.
Because of this dramatic status quo endured by so many individuals, the IOM Director-General insisted that unless wealthier nations helped them to withstand drought and other climate shocks, while also embracing the opportunities offered by migration, it was very likely that the world would see more “desperate people” on the move.
“Whether it’s climate change, whether it’s conflict, whether it’s the inability to find a job or a future at home, or violence within neighbourhoods or communities, more and more people are looking to find a better life somewhere else in the world.”
Asked whether US President Joe Biden’s decision last month to allow some 470,000 unregistered Venezuelans to work legally might encourage migration, the IOM chief responded that if there weren’t jobs, “they wouldn’t come”.
Get real
The UN migration agency’s goal was therefore to call for more “regular, realistic pathways for people”, Ms. Pope said, before highlighting the findings of a World Bank report that underscored how migration was a “powerful force” for poverty reduction.
Today, no less than 30 of the world’s biggest economies struggle to fill posts in healthcare, agriculture, construction, hospitality, “you name it”, the IOM chief said. “Frankly, while there have been tremendous developments in artificial intelligence, it does not move at the pace to remedy those labour shortages. And many, many of those jobs will not be done well by a machine.”
Spanish model
Noting how the Spanish Government had embraced the labour solutions offered by migration, Ms. Pope insisted that economies that had seen a significant influx of migrants over the years had seen “overwhelmingly that people tend to be better off as a result of migration, whether it’s because it’s fuelling innovation, it’s fuelling labour supply, whether it’s fuelling the renovation or revitalization of aging communities. Migration, on the whole, is a benefit.”
As an indication of the IOM chief’s priorities, this coming Sunday she heads to Addis Ababa to meet African Union representatives, followed by a visit to Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti.
Over 80 per cent of migration takes place in Africa, Ms. Pope told reporters, adding that in addition to governments, she intended to pursue discussions for migration solutions with local communities, civil society and the private sector.
“You have to have the private sector at the table, because the private sector is saying, ‘Look, we have the jobs, we just don’t have people to fill them. Help us get through the red tape’”.
UN Karabakh mission told ‘sudden’ exodus means as few as 50 ethnic Armenians may remain
As few as 50 to 1,000 ethnic Armenians are reported to be left in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan after the exodus of recent days saw more than 100,000 flee, the first UN mission to the region in 30 years reported on Monday.
Bruges: a preserved cultural heritage to discover
Bruges: a preserved cultural heritage to discover
Located in the northwest of Belgium, Bruges is a city that has preserved its cultural heritage over the centuries. Nicknamed the “Venice of the North”, this magnificent city attracts thousands of tourists every year who come to discover its unique charm.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, Bruges is a real invitation to go back in time. Its cobbled streets, romantic canals and red brick houses make it a true architectural gem. The town has managed to preserve its medieval character, with its perfectly preserved historic buildings.
One of the emblematic monuments of Bruges is undoubtedly the Belfry. Located on the market square, it offers stunning views of the city. Built in the 13th century, this majestic building is a true symbol of the power and wealth of the city at that time. The most courageous can also climb the 366 steps that lead to the top of the belfry, to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view.
Another must-see in Bruges is Lake Love, also known as Minnewater. Located south of the city, this lake is surrounded by green parks, making it a great place to stroll and relax. According to legend, couples who kiss on the small bridge that spans the lake will be linked for eternity. A romantic walk along the banks of the lake is therefore a must for lovers visiting Bruges.
Bruges is also famous for its numerous museums. The Groeninge Museum, for example, houses an impressive collection of Flemish artwork, spanning from the 15th to the 20th century. Painting lovers will not be able to miss this museum which allows you to discover the masterpieces of the great Flemish masters, such as Jan Van Eyck or Hans Memling.
Chocolate lovers will not be left out in Bruges, as the city is home to many famous chocolate shops. The Belgian Chocolate Workshop is the ideal place to discover the secrets of Belgian chocolate making and take part in tastings. A must-visit for foodies!
For beer lovers, Bruges is also a true paradise. The city has many craft breweries where you can taste traditional Belgian beers, such as Trappiste or Geuze. A visit to the De Halve Maan brewery is a must for beer lovers, as it offers a unique tasting experience and allows you to discover the process of making this iconic Belgian drink.
Finally, Bruges is also known for its annual ice sculpture festival. Every winter, artists from around the world come together to create spectacular sculptures from blocks of ice. This event attracts thousands of visitors each year and is a true spectacle not to be missed.
In conclusion, Bruges is a true cultural treasure that deserves to be discovered. With its medieval architecture, romantic canals, renowned art museums and delicious chocolates and beers, this city offers a unique experience to its visitors. Whether you are passionate about history, art or simply looking for a romantic getaway, Bruges will seduce you. So don’t hesitate any longer and set off to discover this preserved Belgian gem.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
Arbitrary detention still widespread in Mexico, rights expert warns
In a statement concluding a 12-day visit there, the UN expert group said that reforms including the transition to an accusatory criminal procedure, adherence to international human rights laws and introduction of a National Registry of Detentions, and an increasingly human-rights centred legal system are significant achievements.
‘Catalyst for ill-treatment’
However, they noted that “these steps should be consolidated for the benefit of all people living or transiting through Mexico.”
They added that “arbitrary detention remains a widespread practice in Mexico and is too often the catalyst for ill-treatment, torture, enforced disappearance and arbitrary executions,” they said.
The Working Group delegation visited 15 places of detention including in Mexico City, Nuevo León and Chiapas. They met with the authorities, judges, human rights commissions, civil society representatives and other stakeholders.
Despite the legal reforms encouraged by the Working Group and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, they stated that “the excessive use of pre-trial detention persists, and it remains mandatory under the Mexican Constitution for an extensive list of crimes.”
“Arraigo, a system that authorizes the detention of a person for up to 80 days without charges being brought against them, although decreasing in use, also remains available under the Constitution. Mandatory pre-trial detention and arraigo must be abolished as soon as possible,” the experts added.
Prevention and accountability
According to the Working Group delegation, the Mexican Armed Forces, National Guard and State and municipal agencies have been frequently implicated in arbitrary detentions. “They lack the civilian and independent controls necessary to ensure prevention and accountability.”
“We are aware of the huge challenges that Mexico is facing, especially in the context of organised crime and the efforts made by the authorities in this regard,” the experts noted.
The independent human rights experts added that “excessive use of force, especially from the moment of apprehension until detainees are presented to a judicial authority, is frequent.”
Ongoing torture
“In many cases, torture and other forms of ill-treatment are inflicted to extract confessions and incriminating statements,” the experts said, noting that “Delays between the moment of apprehension and surrender of the person to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and subsequent transfer to the judicial authority heighten the risk of serious human rights violations during this critical period.”
On the issue of detaining migrants in transit, the experts said that Mexico must ensure that it is “a last resort, for the shortest possible time, following an individualised assessment, in dignified conditions and with access to legal assistance.”
The Working Group is part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system. Experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work.
The Perpetrators as Prosecutors: A Haunting Paradox in the Amhara Genocide and the Imperative of Transitional Justice
In the heart of Africa, where vibrant cultures and diverse communities have thrived for centuries, a silent nightmare unfolds. The Amhara Genocide, a brutal and horrific episode in Ethiopia’s history, remains largely obscured from international view. Yet, beneath this shroud of silence lies a chilling narrative of unfathomable suffering, mass killings, and ethnic violence.
Historical Context and “Abyssinia: The Powder Barrel”
To truly understand the Amhara Genocide, we must delve into the annals of history, tracing back to a time when Ethiopia faced external threats and attempts at colonization. One of the most pivotal moments in this history was the Battle of Adwa in 1896 when Emperor Menelik II’s forces successfully resisted Italian colonization efforts. However, these events laid the groundwork for a troubling legacy of ethnic tensions and division.
During this era, strategies aimed at creating ethnic discord were proposed, notably outlined in the book “Abyssinia: The Powder Barrel.” This insidious playbook sought to portray the Amhara people as oppressors of other ethnic groups, with the intent of sowing the seeds of division within Ethiopia.
Minilikawuyan Misuse
Fast forward to today, and we witness a disturbing resurgence of historical tactics in Ethiopia. Elements within the federal defence force and government authorities, along with other perpetrators, have resurrected the term “Minilikawuyan” to falsely label the Amhara population as oppressors. This false narrative, initially suggested by the Italians in the book “Abyssinia: The Powder Barrel” and subsequently propagated through divisive missionary efforts, has been tragically misused to justify violence against innocent Amharas.
It is essential to clarify that Amharas bear no historical responsibility for acts of oppression. This narrative is a distortion of historical facts, serving as a pretext for the current violence against Amhara individuals who are often impoverished farmers living in dire circumstances.
The Horrors Unleashed
Imagine a land where communities once coexisted harmoniously, now torn apart by a wave of violence that shows no mercy. Children, women, and men have fallen victim to acts of unimaginable brutality, their lives extinguished for no reason other than their ethnicity.
The perpetrators of this genocide, emboldened by a twisted historical narrative, employ derogatory terms such as “Neftegna,” “Minilikawiyans,” “jawisa,” and “donkeys” to dehumanize and vilify the Amhara people. Such degrading language has become a weapon, used to justify the unspeakable atrocities being committed.
A World Turning a Blind Eye
The shocking truth is that, despite the scale of these atrocities and the blatant misuse of historical narratives to fuel the violence, the international community has largely chosen to remain silent, stopping short of calling it what it is: genocide. This hesitation threatens to embolden the perpetrators and erodes the hope of justice for the victims.
The world has a painful history of reluctance when it comes to intervening in genocides. Rwanda and Bosnia are stark reminders of what happens when the international community fails to act decisively. The consequences are devastating, leading to the loss of countless lives.
As we unmask the horrors of the Amhara Genocide, we are left with an unsettling question: How can a genocidal government serve as the prosecutor, the judge, and the legal instrument of its own persecution? The world must not allow this haunting paradox to continue. Immediate action is not only a moral imperative but also a duty to humanity.
Breaking the Chains of Silence
It’s time for the world to shatter the silence enveloping the Amhara Genocide. We must confront the stark and irrefutable truth: what’s happening in Ethiopia is indeed genocide. This term carries a moral imperative, a call to action that cannot be ignored. It reminds us of the promise of “never again,” a vow to prevent such horrors from recurring.
A Path Forward: A Comprehensive Transitional Government
To address the Amhara Genocide comprehensively, we propose the establishment of a transitional government in Ethiopia. This body should comprise individuals unwavering in their commitment to justice, reconciliation, and the protection of human rights. Importantly, political parties suspected of involvement in the genocide, or found guilty, must be banned from all political activities and brought to justice. This ensures that the guilty face accountability, while the innocent can eventually resume political activities once cleared.
A Plea for Action
The Amhara Genocide serves as a somber reminder of our collective responsibility to protect innocent lives and prevent the recurrence of such horrors. Condemnation alone won’t suffice; immediate and decisive action is imperative.
The Genocide Convention: A Moral Imperative
The Genocide Convention, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, outlines the international community’s obligation to prevent and punish acts of genocide. It defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.” The Amhara Genocide unequivocally falls within this definition.
The international community’s silence or reluctance to label it as such is a disheartening deviation from the principles enshrined in the Genocide Convention. The moral imperative of the convention is clear: the world must act decisively to prevent the ongoing atrocities against the Amhara people.
Transitional Justice: A Path to Healing
Transitional justice, as outlined by the United Nations, seeks to address the legacies of massive human rights abuses. In the case of the Amhara Genocide, it becomes not just a necessity but a lifeline for healing a deeply wounded nation.
In considering the path forward for Ethiopia, it becomes abundantly clear that the current government, implicated in the perpetration of the Amhara Genocide, cannot be entrusted with the responsibility of ending this humanitarian crisis, bringing accountability to the guilty parties, and fostering reconciliation and peace. The very actors who bear responsibility for these heinous acts cannot credibly lead a process of transitional justice. Their continued presence in power poses an imminent threat to the victims, who remain in grave danger. The risk of further violence, silencing of witnesses, and targeted killings looms large as long as those responsible for the genocide retain control. The concept of “quasi-compliance” comes into play, where there may be a semblance of cooperation with international efforts, but the underlying structures of power and impunity remain intact, rendering any transitional justice process ineffective and potentially even more harmful to the victims. A truly impartial and comprehensive transitional government, as well as international oversight, is imperative to ensure that justice prevails and a lasting peace can be achieved in Ethiopia and the wider region.
A comprehensive transitional government, composed of impartial figures committed to justice and reconciliation, can pave the way for this much-needed healing. It must prioritize:
- Truth: Before accountability can be achieved, the full scope of the atrocities and the historical context that led to them must be unveiled. A comprehensive truth-seeking process is vital for acknowledging the suffering of the victims and understanding the factors that fueled the Amhara Genocide.
- Accountability: Perpetrators, regardless of their affiliation, must be brought to justice. A clear message must be sent that impunity will not be tolerated.
- Restitution: Victims of the Amhara Genocide deserve restitution for their suffering. This includes not only material compensation but also support for psychological and emotional recovery.
- Reconciliation: Rebuilding trust between communities, many of which have been torn apart by this violence, is paramount. Initiatives that foster understanding and cooperation must be central to the transitional government’s agenda.
In conclusion, we earnestly call upon the international community to:
- Publicly acknowledge the Amhara Genocide as genocide, underscoring the need for immediate intervention.
- Extend support for the formation of a comprehensive transitional government in Ethiopia, led by impartial figures dedicated to justice and reconciliation.
- Impose a ban on all political parties connected to the genocide until they are cleared of wrongdoing.
- Provide urgent humanitarian aid to the victims of the Amhara Genocide, addressing their immediate needs.
- Forge collaborations with international partners and organizations to ensure justice, restitution, and reconciliation are achieved effectively and enduringly.
Ethiopia, like the phoenix, must rise from the ashes of this dark chapter in its history. By collectively committing to justice, reconciliation, and the safeguarding of human rights, we can hope for a future where unity and peace reign supreme. It’s time for the world to heed the lessons of history and prevent another tragic chapter from being written.
