Petition to the International Criminal Court (ICC), United Nations Security Council, and the International Community

Title: Justice for Tigray: End Impunity for Gross Human Rights Violations

To:

• The International Criminal Court (ICC)
• The United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
• African Union (AU)
• Governments and Leaders of the International Community

Subject: Seeking justice and accountability for the victims of human rights violations and genocide in Tigray, Ethiopia

Introduction:

We, the undersigned, call upon the International Criminal Court, the United Nations Security Council, and the international community to take immediate and decisive action to address the gross human rights violations, crimes against humanity, and acts amounting to genocide committed against the people of Tigray, Ethiopia. These atrocities, well-documented by credible organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, demand justice and accountability to prevent further suffering and to ensure that the principles of human rights are upheld.

CNN Documentary

https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/05/africa/ethiopia-tigray-humera-sudan-bodies-cmd-intl/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Background:

The conflict in Tigray, which began in November 2020, has led to unspeakable atrocities:

• Massacres: Hundreds of civilians were slaughtered in towns like Axum and Mai Kadra.
• Sexual Violence: Tigrayan women and girls were systematically raped and subjected to brutal sexual violence as a weapon of war.
• Forced Displacement: Entire communities were forcibly removed from their homes in a campaign of ethnic cleansing, particularly in Western Tigray.
• Starvation as a Weapon: Deliberate blockades of humanitarian aid led to famine conditions, endangering millions.
• Extrajudicial Killings and Torture: Civilians, including children and the elderly, were subjected to inhumane treatment and murder.

 

https://youtu.be/mz7nEl8a5VI?si=aM94UDWMOg8SCb_M

 

 

 

 

 

Despite the peace agreement signed between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in Pretoria, South Africa, to halt direct conflict, justice remains elusive for the victims. The Ethiopian government has intentionally attempted to obscure the atrocities, hindering the implementation of transitional justice. It has been over two years since the peace agreement was signed, yet no significant steps have been taken to bring those accountable to justice. This failure perpetuates impunity and further traumatizes the victims.

Moreover, in Western Tigray, displaced individuals have been unable to return to their communities due to ongoing threats and lack of security. The perpetrators of these crimes, including ethnic cleansing and forced displacements, remain in positions of power, further undermining efforts to achieve justice and reconciliation.

These actions, perpetrated by various parties, including state and non-state actors, constitute violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including the Genocide Convention and the Rome Statute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Appeal:

1. To the ICC: We urge the ICC Prosecutor to open an investigation into the crimes committed in Tigray. We call for:

• Accountability for all perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and acts of genocide.
• Robust measures to protect witnesses and survivors who are willing to testify.

2. To the UNSC: We demand that the Security Council:

• Refer the situation in Tigray to the ICC without delay.
  Impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for atrocities.
• Deploy peacekeeping missions or other international mechanisms to protect civilians in western Tigray and areas occupied by Eritrean forces

3. To the International Community: We call on governments and international organizations to:

• Support independent investigations and fact-finding missions in Tigray.
• Provide humanitarian assistance and facilitate access to affected populations.

Why Your Action Matters:

The people of Tigray have endured unimaginable suffering and systemic attempts to erase their identity. Without swift international action, impunity will prevail, encouraging similar atrocities elsewhere. Justice is not only a moral imperative but also a foundational step toward lasting peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia.

What We Demand:

1. Immediate investigation and prosecution of crimes committed against the people of Tigray.
2. Full cooperation by all states with the ICC and other international accountability mechanisms.
3. Recognition of the plight of Tigrayans as an urgent global humanitarian crisis requiring collective action

Signatories: By signing this petition, we stand in solidarity with the victims of the Tigray conflict and commit to advocating for justice, accountability, and the protection of human rights.

Call to Action: Join us in urging the ICC, the UNSC, and the international community to act now. Share this petition widely and amplify the voices of those who cannot speak for themselves. Together, we can demand justice and honor the resilience of Tigray’s people.

 

https://medium.com/@justicefortigray2025/justice-for-tigray-f1c09cdac58f