Geneva, 24 August 1998

Mr. Chairman,

Under Item 10 of the Agenda, allow me to report to the Sub-Commission the Forced displacement of Ethiopians as a result of the unprovoked aggression by Eritrea against Ethiopia. It is to be recalled that Eritrean forces invaded the Tigray and Afar regions of Ethiopia starting from 12th May 1998, killing and injuring civilians and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes and farms. In addition, many thousands of Ethiopians have been expelled from Eritrea after being beaten and robbed and in some cases raped. The number of those displaced inside Ethiopia has now risen to over 200,000.

Large-scale destruction of clinics, water points and other facilities by the invading Eritrean troops has exposed the displaced people to serious health and sanitation hazards. The number of displaced people continues to grow with the intensification of the harassment and persecution of the Ethiopian population in the areas illegally occupied by the Eritrean regime including a deliberate and massive deployment of anti-personal landmines in the farming areas. Many have been forced off their farms at a time when they would be preparing for the next harvest.

Mr. Chairman,

The victims of these barbarous acts are daily testifying on their plight. One such victim Muroos Fessehaien, Chairperson of Mekeda Wereda who is now in Fatsi, a small town in northern Tigray, describes how the conflict unfolded around Zalambessa as follows:

"Eritrean soldiers started to move towards the Ethiopian border town of Zalambessa on 9th May and started to attack on 11th. At that time there were only a few policemen and local militias and the administrative body. To avoid clashes, we took an alternative route avoiding the main road. Although we were trying to avoid clashes, they started a massive attack on us from all directions on 4th June. At that time we were able to drive them away. But as they were holding land on both sides of Zalambessa we could not stay there in the middle. So, now Zalambessa is in the hands of the Eritrean army.

They have destroyed infrastructure, including a newly constructed health centre. They looted medicines, even things like windows, doors and chairs. Some tried to convince them that such things belong to the people, but in vain. They took a motor for pumping the water supply of Zalambessa, which was purchased by the people themselves.

The Eritrean heavy guns also destroyed a privately owned grinding mill and a pottery. They cut the electric wires of the town into pieces. Almost all private houses were looted and they took everything, even clothes. The Eritrean soldiers and unarmed Eritrean youngsters specially brought for this purpose looted the property. Most of the residents of Zalambessa have left the area, all except the old and weak.

At the beginning the displaced people were coming here to Fatsi. But due to the continuous shelling they couldn't stay here. Even people from around here did not choose to stay in Fatsi after witnessing the destruction of houses and the death of a five-year-old child from the shelling. So some of the displaced people are now in Adigrat and many are scattered in the neighbouring stations, in caves. These people are displaced from five stations of the wereda. Each station has a population of between four and five thousand people.

Sooner or later the Eritrean government will be defeated. On our side, we are trying to maintain a healthy relationship among the two peoples. We have been giving the few Eritreans who had been residing in Zalambessa the same assistance as displaced Ethiopians without discrimination."

Mr. Chairman,

As I have explained in my earlier statements to this body the Eritrean Government is engaged in forcible transfer of the Ethiopian population out of the Ethiopian territories it continues to occupy by force. Wanton destruction of property, torture and inhuman treatment and other grave breaches of International Humanitarian Law by the Eritrean regime always accompany this crime against humanity.

In light of these barbarities by the Eritrean Government it should be clear to all present here that the whining by Eritrea is a desperate attempt to cover up their own criminal acts of massive population displacement.

Finally, Mr. Chairman, the observer for Eritrea has just informed us that the ICRC is going to open an office in Eritrea. This clearly shows the inconsistency of the Eritrean Government as the observer for that country has been telling this body that the ICRC has had full access and has been operating in that country. This is yet another proof if such proof is required, that they have been lying to the Sub-commission all along.

Thank you.

IN THE EXERCISE OF THE RIGHT OF REPLY

Mr.Chairman,

In exercise of my right of reply to the latest slur by the observer for Eritrea against my country, allow me to give you a further account of the ordeals of Ethiopian nationals in Eritrea.

The Eritrean authorities have a manifest contempt for the international community. They have demonstrated this by their complete disregard of international norms and persisted with their countless atrocities against thousands of Ethiopian civilians. First came their unprovoked invasion of Ethiopian territory of Badme and its environs, then the ruthless killing and injuring of over 200 children and other innocent victims when Eritrean warplanes twice deliberately bombed an elementary school in Mekele on June 5 1998. Then a week later the Eritrean regime carried out another air raid with cluster bombs inflicting death and serious injury on the urban residents of Adigrat including children.

The Eritrean authorities have herded hundreds of Ethiopian nationals into camps, confiscating their property and personal belongings and, in many cases, dumping them at the border. Children, women, and the elderly continue to be kept in deplorable conditions.

Further ordeals range from evictions to barbaric acts such as raping and killing. Tsehay, a young Ethiopian girl, speaks tearfully, of the dehumanizing experience she went through at the hands of Eritrean soldiers: "I worked as a house maid for three years in Eritrea. Suddenly, I was told to leave the country immediately by Shabiya members. On my way out of Eritrea, members of the Eritrean army at checkpoint No. 57 intercepted me. They dragged me, threw me to the ground, tore off my clothes, beat me wildly, then four of them took it in turns to rape me".

Such accounts by victims of atrocities and by those detained in army camps and secret hideouts are common. Despite calls by the Ethiopian government, the international community and humanitarian organizations the Eritrean government has refused to observe humanitarian law that protects the rights of civilians in armed conflicts.

All mandated international institutions should press upon the Eritrean authorities to halt these atrocities. Although Eritrea is not a party to the Geneva Conventions or to their additional protocols, it nonetheless, has to comply with the customary rules applicable in the event of international armed conflicts. The international community must not accept a dangerous precedent that is being created by the Eritrean leadership. They should not be allowed to continue to undermine regional and international peace.

In closing, Mr. Chairman, allow me to pose one question i.e. if there is any evidence or any truth as to what the Eritrean Government has been saying why they continue tearing down the posters outside this room showing only some of the atrocities committed by the Eritrean Air Force at Mekele. It is clear for all present in this room that the reason can only be because it exposes their shameful criminal acts against children and civilians. The harrowing pictures that all of you have seen has in the middle an 18 month old baby a victim of Eritrean cluster bombs in Mekele.

Thank You!