On Continued Violence Against Tigrayan Women and Girls Post-CoHA

Despite the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) on November 2, 2022, ongoing violence against Tigrayan women and girls persists. The lack of upholding the terms of the agreement, signed between the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, causes deep concern. The CoHA aimed to restore peace in Tigray and end the humanitarian crisis, but its key provisions remain unfulfilled perpetuating the genocide and severe human rights abuses in the region.

We stand in solidarity with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and fully support the participants of the large demonstration held on Tuesday, June 25, in Mekelle. Women courageously demanded an end to violence against women in the region, calling for justice for victims of sexual violence, kidnappings, and other abuses. 

Since the signing of the CoHA the expected cessation of violence, withdrawal of Eritrean and Amhara forces, and humanitarian relief have regrettably failed to materialize. This failure not only jeopardizes the fragile peace in Tigray but also prolongs the suffering of its people. In 2023, Physicians for Human Rights and the Organization for Justice and Accountability in the Horn of Africa meticulously reviewed 304 medical records documenting conflict-related sexual violence. Their findings grimly revealed 128 cases of rape occurring after the CoHA, highlighting the persistent and brutal sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Tigray, particularly in areas occupied by Eritrean forces.

The escalating crisis in Tigray has reached alarming levels with reports of targeted attacks on Tigrayan women, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. Since the conflict began, the breakdown of societal structures and the release of prisoners by opposing forces have left Tigrayan women particularly vulnerable to SGBV. Many of these released prisoners, known perpetrators of past atrocities, are now roaming freely, perpetuating fear and trauma among the civilian population. The aftermath of genocide has unleashed a wave of violence against women, compounding the suffering of those already grappling with displacement, food insecurity, and limited access to essential services.

The impact of these atrocities on society is profound and devastating. Many survivors of SGBV experience rejection from their families and communities due to the stigma and harassment they face, often fearing ostracization or forced concealment of their trauma. Medical professionals, counselors, nuns, and priests report a troubling trend where many men reject wives who have been raped, especially those with children born of rape, further isolating survivors and intensifying their suffering.

Given the ongoing systematic SGBV in occupied Tigray, the severe lack of psychosocial and medical support for survivors, and the absence of justice and accountability, we call on all stakeholders to ensure the full implementation of the 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, expand survivor-centered medical and psychosocial support for survivors, support ongoing impartial documentation and accountability mechanisms, and establish a mechanism to drive justice and accountability in Tigray to complement and extend the victim-trusted work of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE). Omna Tigray urges the international community to act decisively to end the violence against Tigrayan women and girls and to hold the perpetrators accountable. 

​​The international community must act swiftly and decisively to protect Tigrayan women and vulnerable populations from further harm and to ensure justice for victims of these egregious attacks. The urgent need for humanitarian intervention and accountability cannot be overstated as Tigray’s situation continues to deteriorate.