Tigray Herald፡November 25,2024 (Mekele)
Statement of Condemnation Against Atrocities in the Tembein District of Tigray
We, the Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice in Europe, vehemently condemn the
ongoing atrocities being inflicted upon the civilian population of Tembein District in the Tigray
Central Zone. Under the directives of General Henesa Woldegeorgis, head of the 60th Division
of the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF), and Tegadalay Eyobe, head of the subdivision of the 60th
Division, the people of Tembein—particularly its youth—are enduring appalling acts of violence
and repression.
These heinous actions include kidnapping, torture, physical assault, arbitrary detention, and the
systematic terrorization of civilians. The imposition of road and transportation blockades has
further exacerbated their suffering, isolating the district and denying its people access to vital
resources and opportunities. These acts are gross violations of fundamental human rights and a
betrayal of the people who courageously stood with the TDF during the darkest days of the
genocidal war on Tigray.
The Tragedy and Betrayal of Tembein
The people of Tembein were pivotal in the Tigrayan resistance against genocide. Despite
enduring unimaginable suffering during the genocidal war, they provided unwavering support,
shelter, and sustenance to the TDF. It is a cruel and tragic irony that those once celebrated as
liberators have now become oppressors.
This betrayal is one of the gravest injustices in Tigray’s post-genocide era. The people of
Tembein, who sacrificed so much for the survival of Tigray, deserve respect, recognition, and
development—not violence and intimidation. The atrocities being committed against them are
an affront to the very ideals for which countless Tigrayans fought and died.
Our Calls to Action
We urgently call on the Tigray Interim Government and the TDF leadership to:
Immediately halt all acts of violence, intimidation, and road blockages in Tembein District.
Conduct a thorough investigation into these crimes and hold General Henesa Woldegeorgis,
Tegadalay Eyobe, and all responsible parties accountable.
Uphold justice, accountability, and respect for human rights within the ranks of the TDF.
We further call on international human rights organizations to take immediate action:
Amnesty International
Human Rights Watch
The U.S. State Department for African Affairs
The European Commission on Human Rights
The International Human Rights Commission (UK)
Western embassies and diplomatic missions in Ethiopia
These entities must condemn these actions and impose targeted sanctions on those
responsible for these atrocities.
Message to the Oppressors
To those perpetrating these crimes:
Your actions betray Tigray’s values, history, and the very people who protected you during the
war. Oppression will not bring peace or security; it will only deepen divisions and perpetuate
instability. The Tigrayan struggle was for freedom, dignity, and justice—not to replace one form
of tyranny with another. Cease these inhumane acts immediately, or face the inevitable pursuit
of justice. The people of Tigray will not forgive or forget this treachery.
Message to the People of Tembein and All Tigrayans
To the resilient people of Tembein:
Your courage in the face of oppression exemplifies the indomitable spirit of Tigray. Your
sacrifices and endurance will not be in vain. We stand with you in solidarity, advocating for your
justice and dignity.
To all Tigrayans:
This is a defining moment to unite against betrayal and demand accountability. The dreams of
freedom that carried us through the genocidal war must not be overshadowed by internal
oppression. Together, we must strive for a Tigray that upholds justice and protects the rights of
all its citizens.
The Path Forward
The people of Tigray placed their trust in the TDF to protect them, restore territorial integrity, and
rebuild a society rooted in dignity and freedom. The atrocities in Tembein undermine this trust
and the principles for which the TDF was established.
A sustainable peace in Tigray can only be achieved through justice, accountability, and the
protection of civilian rights. We urge all stakeholders to prioritize the well-being of Tigray’s
citizens above personal ambition or power struggles.
Conclusion
The people of Tembein, and all Tigrayans, have endured immense suffering. We must honor
their sacrifices by ensuring that such injustices never happen again. Oppression and violence
have no place in the Tigray we aspire to build.
We stand resolutely with the oppressed and call for immediate action to rectify these injustices.
Justice will prevail, and Tigray will rise stronger and more united.
Tigrayan Advocacy for Human Rights and Justice in Europe.
