First and foremost, Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organization with its headquarters in the United Kingdom focusing on human rights. It was founded in1961 with the objective of Legal advocacy, Media attention, direct-appeal campaigns, research, lobbying, etc. this organization claims that through its detailed research and determined campaigning, it helps fight abuses of human rights worldwide and brings torturers to justice, International Justice. How come then such a sophisticated approach to human rights abuses is very much lacking when it comes to the allegation it made against Ethiopian troops and militia concerning rape, abduction of women and girls in Tigray conflict? The research methodology is rather unscientific as it is based on the wrong premises.
For a research to be done, the topic must be identified and developed. A preliminary search for information should be done and evaluation of the sources and others as well. However, there is no clue that these methods have been employed. It is here that the feet of the dancer fail to take the proper step.
The influence or the statue of TPLF is fast leaning, almost nearing collapse. This is what Amnesty International knowingly or unknowingly saluted to the dismay of all who are at grips with the exact situation in Tigray. The allegation it made against Ethiopian troops and militia, in an effort to please TPLF, is nothing other than saluting the already leaning statue which will be of no avail to anyone including the organization itself. Such blatant an unfounded allegation is done in an effort to sway the United States and the West.
The writer takes the liberty of adopting the open letter to Amnesty International by Askual Teferi.
Focusing on the report the Amnesty International prepared to justify its allegation, the study was based:
a. Only on 63 survivors of rape and other sexual violence out of millions of Tigrian Ethiopians to recount the alleged sexual misconducts by the Ethiopian troops. According to Amnesty International, “between March and June 2021, A.I. interviewed 63 survivors of rape and other sexual violence, 15 in person in Sudan and 48 remotely on secure telephone lines.”
b. Second, because AI has not indicated the process by which the 63 interviewees were selected, it is difficult to rule out the possible involvement of TPLF to manipulate the selection process to tilt the outcome to their favor.
c. Third Amnesty International did not provide the names and backgrounds of the medical professionals and humanitarian workers who helped Amnesty International corroborate the allegation of the 63 interviewees; therefore, it is difficult to prove the neutrality of the humanitarian workers and medical professionals. It is a one side story.
Surprisingly, Amnesty International chose not to offer the Ethiopian government opportunity to provide their perspectives related to the serious allegation leveled against Ethiopian troops by 63 interviewees and others.
This piece painted a dark picture of the thousands of patriotic Ethiopian soldiers while providing a cover for the alleged atrocities committed against Ethiopian civilians and troops by the TPLF troops.
For the reasons outlined above, the report by AI is unreliable; therefore, it should be rescinded. AI should do the right thing but scrapping this incredulous and one-sided report for the sake of its reputation. It should go back to drawing board to expand its sample size and representation to ensure that it reflects the voice of the victims in the Tigray conflict irrespective of their ethnicity. AI should investigate the allegation of misconduct on the part of the TPLF as well as the Ethiopian troops. To produce a credible report, Amnesty International must send staff that is trained to conduct in-person interviews in conflict zones. The organization must mindful in its endeavor to bring to light the truth of such nature. In any international crime investigation, information based on hearsay or speculation is absolutely unacceptable and in fact condemned.
The organization, with a noble mission of advocating human rights impartially, should have proactively calculated the outcome of the wrong report and the repercussion it entails.
Unfortunately, the report in its current form is a stain on the record of Amnesty International. Amnesty International must refrain from being perceived as an advocate of the TPLF’s agenda. Erroneous findings such as this one, is incredulous and consequential in securing the means to exact justice to future victims of this heinous crime.
Standing for justice and perceiving the true essence of what is in reality taking place is expected of such globally acknowledged organization. As a matter of fact, International Amnesty could have spearheaded in encouraging other organizations of similar mission to uphold truth. Politics is elusive in its nature; what is condoned and hoorayed today can change overnight and regretfully put many to shame.
Under serious consideration of what the junta group is doing to innocent civilians, particularly women and children, of which Amnesty International and others implicitly accuse Ethiopian defense forces, is rather a proxy war against Ethiopia – promoting the clandestine agenda of others.
Several hundred defenders of human rights and their organizations should have joined forces worldwide to issue a statement on the situation and denounce Amnesty International for its erroneous report. International media in collaboration with Amnesty International either chose to be silent or propagate the unlikely idea of dialogue by some western countries and the United States. A dialogue is often conducted between two parties on equal level. But the situation with Ethiopia is different, where one is legitimate government and the other is a terrorist group. There is no point in calling both parties to end the war and protect civilians or pushing the international community to step in. As aforementioned, there are no two parties as the terrorist group does not qualify to be referred to as such.
The voices of defenders like Amnesty International should have been in concurrence with the Ethiopian government the perpetrators to bring the war to an end for the lasting peace within and beyond the borders of the country. After the law is maintained in this way, they will be protected and allowed to resonate without any interference. The declaration on the rights and responsibilities of individuals, groups and organs of society to promote and protect the universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms must be in place.
It is rather intriguing to see some human rights defenders cast aside their responsibilities only to please their controllers. What else can this be except saluting the leaning statue which the international community labor to put it back to its place in vain.
International Amnesty should have recognized the valuable work of individuals, groups and associations in contributing to the effective elimination of all violations of human rights and the fundamental freedoms in relation to mass, flagrant or systematic violations and in strengthening peace. The present report comes at a time when more countries have recently experienced violent conflict than at any other time in nearly three decades. Many defenders are affected by several armed conflicts at once, upsurges in inter-ethnic violence, terrorism or other criminal activities, with armed responses sometimes generating further risks for human rights. Others grapple with wide-ranging post-conflict challenges that do not exclude relapse into armed conflict. Defenders shape the present, immediate and long-term future of societies in which they operate. Yet they strive to operate in these settings, under considerable pressure, too often solely responsible for their own protection.
The present report of Amnesty International comes in response to the incredulous demand of the major actors behind the screen. The writer believes that to correct the flaw in the report of Amnesty International in Tigray conflict, it takes the endeavors of several special procedures and hopes to contribute to developments underway, notably by the United Nations on peace building and on expanding the civic space.
All in all, an in-depth scientific investigation and evaluation of circumstances should be conducted before trying to bring the truth to light.
BY JOSEPH SOBOKA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD OCTOBER 6/2021
