441-00139 (Foreign affairs)

The promotion and protection of human rights, democracy, and fundamental freedoms, as well as the protection of civilians, are all integral elements of Canada’s position on foreign policy. The Government of Canada is committed to standing up for human rights and to striving for a world where the well-being, rights and freedoms of all people are protected and respected.

The Government of Canada, along with its G7 partners and other members of the international community, is deeply concerned by serious human rights violations and abuses as well as violations of international humanitarian law in Ethiopia. Furthermore, it is disturbed by evidence of widespread sexual violence by all parties across a number of regions in Ethiopia, including Afar, Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray. The Government of Canada unreservedly condemns the killing of civilians, sexual and gender-based violence, indiscriminate attacks, and the forced displacement of civilians.

The Government of Canada has taken a stand at the United Nations, including at the Human Rights Council, to bring attention to these issues. In 2021, the Government of Canada supported two resolutions at the Human Rights Council which called for an end to human rights violations in Ethiopia. Canada was also a major donor, with a contribution of $600,000, to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission joint investigation into the allegations of human rights violations and abuses, and of serious violations of international humanitarian law committed by parties to the conflict. On November 6, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of International Development issued a joint statement on the release of the investigation report by the United Nations and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and expressed the Government of Canada’s concerns on the findings. The Government of Canada acknowledges the Government of Ethiopia’s decision to create an Inter-Ministerial Taskforce on Accountability and Redress of Violations Committed to oversee redress and accountability measures in response to human rights violations committed in the conflict in northern Ethiopia.

The Government of Canada is also deeply concerned by the alarming trend of mass detentions of individuals from certain groups, such as ethnic Tigrayans, and urged the Government of Ethiopia to allow unhindered and timely access to detainees. These concerns were expressed on December 6 through a joint statement with Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The statement on detentions in Ethiopia highlighted that the Ethiopian government’s announcement of a state of emergency on November 2 is no justification for the mass detention of individuals from certain ethnic groups.

Canada continues to urge all parties to the conflict to allow and facilitate rapid and unhindered passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need, as required by international humanitarian law. The Government of Canada is working closely with its humanitarian partners, including UN agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, and non-governmental organizations, to help address the immediate life-saving needs of affected populations, both within Ethiopia and those who have sought safety as refugees in Sudan. In 2021, Canada provided more than $43 million to address humanitarian needs in Ethiopia, including those arising from the conflict.

On November 8, 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke with President Faki of the African Union Commission to discuss the rapidly deteriorating situation in Ethiopia, in particular, the intensification of the armed conflict, the humanitarian crisis, and human rights abuses as well as to reinforce the key partnership between Canada and the African Union. The Minister of Foreign Affairs also spoke on November 25, with Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Demeke Mekonnen to convey the Government of Canada’s concerns regarding the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation and military escalation in the country, and to reiterate Canada’s call for an immediate ceasefire. She has discussed the crisis on several occasions with G7 counterparts and others about this crisis, including with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.

Since November 2021, the Prime Minister has spoken four times with Prime Minister Abiy about the developments in northern Ethiopia and the importance of working toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict, including through an immediate cessation of hostilities and inclusive dialogue among all parties. The Prime Minister has reiterated the international legal obligation to ensure humanitarian access and assistance for those affected by the conflict and has raised Canada’s concerns about human rights. The Prime Minister also held calls regarding the situation in Ethiopia with UN Secretary-General Guterres and with African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa Obasanjo to reinforce Canada’s commitment to supporting efforts to end the conflict peacefully.

The Government of Canada has repeatedly called for the establishment of a clear inclusive political process that is acceptable to all Ethiopians, including the citizens of Tigray, and which leads to a wider national reconciliation process. On June 25, 2021, Canada, with like-minded partners, issued a statement on the Ethiopian elections, calling on the Government of Ethiopia and all stakeholders to establish a broad-based national dialogue process and to commit to peaceful solutions. Canada funds programs that support the strengthening of Ethiopia’s democratic institutions, with a special focus on ensuring the participation of women, youth, and ethnic groups in the electoral process. In February 2020, the Government of Canada contributed $1 million to help strengthen the capacity of the National Election Board of Ethiopia to conduct credible, inclusive, and peaceful elections. Canada will continue to support democratic and electoral reforms that are beneficial to and inclusive of all Ethiopian citizens. Canada does not provide budgetary support or other development assistance directly to the Government of Ethiopia.