As the world marks the tenth anniversary of the UN’s International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide, it is deeply saddening that the international community has failed to uphold the promise of “Never Again”, witnessing genocide unfolding against the people of Tigray. Today, we honor the victims of the Tigray Genocide by upholding the truth and refusing to remain silent.
It is to be recalled that the Genocidal war against the people of Tigray emerged in November 2020. Accordingly, the Commission of Inquiry on Tigray Genocide (CITG) has documented extensive evidence that proves the genocidal acts, including massive mass killings, widespread sexual and gender based violence, forced displacement, and deliberate denial of means of survival.
According to the CITG report, 286,250 of 481, 201 respondents have survived at least one form of gender based violence. 152,108 of 286,250 participants, that constitute 53.14% of the GBV have survived rape. 70% of the rape survivors who were willing to report the number of perpetrators suffered gang rapes. Among them, 975 were burned by chemicals and 529 were killed during the assault. Besides, millions of Tigrayan civilians have been subjected to deliberate and brutal killing, body injury, displacement, and torture. Millions remain in makeshift camps, struggling for the safe and dignified return to their homes.
Although large-scale active fighting has ceased following the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in November 2022, the systematic denial of means of survival continues against the large-scale displacement of communities. Thousands of public and private health facilities, schools, micro and large business enterprises, public infrastructure, basic household facilities, etc have been intentionally damaged. In terms of monetary value, at least a total of 146 Billion US Dollar damage and loss has been registered. Such coordinated systematic destruction justifies the intentional denial of means of survival to the people of Tigray.
On this occasion, we call for concrete action in line with international obligations. A genuinely independent, victim-centered justice process is essential to ensure accountability for all international crimes committed. The voluntary and safe return of displaced communities must be prioritized, alongside the restoration of humanitarian access and the rebuilding of vital services. The “Never Again” promise of international community demands immediate and coordinated measures to protect vulnerable populations and restore the rights of the Tigrayan People.
As we observe Anti-Genocide Day for this year, we reaffirm that remembrance must lead to action. The people of Tigray deserve real truth, justice, and dignity. By confronting the failures that allowed genocide to occur during a decade dedicated to its prevention, we strengthen our collective determination to ensure that “Never Again” becomes a promise fulfilled, not a pledge repeated in regret.
On this tenth anniversary of the UN’s International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of Victims of Genocide, we respectfully remember the profound suffering of the people of Tigray. The alarming findings of the Commission of Inquiry on Tigray Genocide underscore the urgent need for the international community to reaffirm its commitment to the promise of “Never Again.” Despite the cessation of large-scale hostilities, the persistence of violence and deprivation continues to impact countless lives.
As we honor the victims and survivors, we kindly urge concrete action to address these ongoing challenges. A victim-centered justice process must be prioritized, alongside efforts to facilitate the safe return of displaced communities. Let us work together to restore the dignity and rights of the Tigrayan people, ensuring that our remembrance translates into meaningful action that prevents such atrocities in the future.
Thank you CITG for working and sharing such magnitude of harm; justice and NEVER AGAIN shall be emphasized.
We have heard years of “never again” and seen endless lip service from the international community, but our people have been left without protection, without justice, without even honest naming of what happened.
The United States and other powerful actors have more than enough information on their desks to recognize what was done to Tigrayans as genocide and to use that truth to pressure the Ethiopian government. Yet our suffering is treated as a policy file to be managed, not a human catastrophe demanding moral courage.
Our people have received no real benefit, no meaningful protection, nothing. Recognition, accountability, and concrete measures for survivors are long overdue.
The genocide in Tigray is still ongoing. The Ethiopian government is preparing for another human wave genocide in Tigray. The international community must stop before it happens again and again
Truly the Tigrean people needs international communities voice to restore from it’s traumatic episode. This people_children, girls, boys, men women all are humans of the world. They need peace, mental and emotional restoration, rehabilitation, compensation. This will be a historic even for putting dark image to the world if left ignored behind such past episodes of the Tigeay people. Please voice for the human rights, and justice of Tigray.