Justice Demanded for Survivors of Weaponized Rape in Tigray

Despite the ceasefire in the forcefully and unconstitutionally occupied areas of Tigray by the Amhara and Eritrea forces, widespread atrocities have continued in Tigray, including sexual violence related to the conflict. The systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war demands global action to ensure justice is done for perpetrators and that survivors are supported, writes Batseba Seifu a human rights advocate.

Rape is a war tool used to achieve multiple destructive objectives, from breaking community morale to asserting dominance and control. Women, children, and men have suffered brutal assaults, with over 120,000 documented cases. Survivor testimonies paint a harrowing picture of brutality, where women and girls were targeted with relentless cruelty. Many survivors recount being attacked by groups of soldiers, with some experiencing repeated assaults by up to fifty attackers at one time. International communities must act now to ensure justice for survivors, prosecute perpetrators, and provide critical support, preventing sexual violence from continuing.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian authorities have suspended two prominent human rights organizations, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council and the Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center, as part of an ongoing crackdown on civil society. Independent civil society organizations, such as suspended rights groups, are crucial to the credibility of the transitional justice process, said Human Rights Watch. Human rights organizations and opposition groups have criticized the lack of transparency and oversight.