The call follows an update from the OHCHR analysing the human rights situation in Ethiopia from January 2023 to January 2024.
Turk called on the warring parties to “cease fire” and resolve their differences peacefully.
A bloody civil war broke out between government forces and northern rebel groups in late 2020, with serious human rights violations, including war crimes, occurring on all sides. Despite a ceasefire in 2022, human rights abuses continue in and around Tigray.
“It is essential that the authorities take all feasible measures to protect civilians, prevent further violations, and ensure thorough investigations to bring those responsible to justice,” he said.
The latest information revealed that 1,351 civilians were killed in attacks by government forces, Eritrean forces, rebel militias and other unidentified forces in 2023.
OHCHR's latest report recognizes the Ethiopian government's efforts to promote transitional justice and prevent violence against women and children, as well as its willingness to participate in talks to resolve the conflict in the Amhara region, which has experienced serious human rights violations and abuses, in 2023.
These efforts require stronger efforts, the update said.
Sudan: UN relief chief warns of worsening situation
The humanitarian situation in and around El Fasher in Sudan's North Darfur region is “deteriorating by the hour,” UN humanitarian official Martin Griffiths warned on Thursday.
Griffiths, in a post on X, said he hoped Thursday's Security Council resolution would help ease the suffering of Sudanese civilians. The resolution calls on Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Security Forces (RSF) to end the siege of Al-Fasher.
The RSF has been fighting the military transitional government forces for control of the country since April 2023.
El Fasher is the last city in Darfur under government control.
“Civilians must be protected, aid must reach them and the fighting must stop immediately,” the UN emergency relief coordinator said.
Reduced access to aid: WFP
Speaking at a midday press conference at UN Headquarters on Friday, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq said the World Food Programme (WFP) in Sudan was stressing the need to distribute food to civilians before the rains completely restricted access to remote areas.
He said the WFP reported that convoys carrying aid for about 160,000 people had entered Darfur from Chad this week and were heading to Central, East and West Darfur.
Haq also noted that WFP food distributions to more than 50,000 people in South Darfur and 200,000 in Aji Jazira are underway.
“This is the first distribution since fighting spread to the state capital Wad Madani and other parts of Sudan's breadbasket in December,” he said.
UN regional director expresses 'strong commitment' to stand with people of Niger
This week, a delegation from the UN regional bureau chief visited Niger as the first leg of a high-level mission to Africa’s central Sahel region.
The visit is part of efforts to strengthen cooperation with the authorities and promote greater integration in the areas of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and peace.
The delegation was led by Abdoulaye Mar Dieye, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Development in the Sahel, and Jacob El Hilo, Regional Director for Africa at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Development.
They met with government officials including Prime Minister Lamien Zain and Foreign Minister Bakary Yaw Sangare.
Mar Dieye noted that Niger and the Sahel region are in the process of rebuilding their future, and reiterated the UN’s “strong and powerful commitment” to support Niger.
“History unfolds”
“What is happening in Niger is history unfolding and being recreated,” he asserted.
Prime Minister Zeineh stressed the urgency of achieving tangible results in structural projects by 2026, especially in the areas of irrigation, security, food and energy sovereignty. Other priorities include youth, education, climate change and water management.
Meanwhile, El Hilo stressed the need to revive the partnership between Niger, its people and the United Nations.
“We want to see how we can adapt and change the way we work to meet Niger's priorities,” he said.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) announced a $9 million investment aimed at strengthening Niger's energy infrastructure to meet growing demand for sustainable and reliable energy.
The UN delegation will be in Niger from June 9 to 13, and is due to visit Mali and Burkina Faso starting next week.
