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Impact on protection of civilians
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| bet | 2/4 | | Sana | 31.01.2024 | | Hajmi | 422,58 Kb. | | #149309 |
Bog'liq subm-casualty-recording-academia-ghent-university-51
The Tigray War Project’s research has substantially influenced international understanding of the situation of civilians in Tigray. It is regularly cited in news media around the world: a Google search for ‘Ghent University Tigray deaths’ yields 267 articles in English language; there are also numerous articles in other languages, and the team has been contacted dozens of times by media for interviews (see list in the annex below). The project is also regularly contacted by journalists seeking information on particular massacres, and has a mailing list of around 2,300 subscribers including concerned citizens, journalists, NGOs, diplomatic and UN staff.
The Tigray War Project’s casualty research has been cited directly in parliamentary debates concerning the situation in Ethiopia, including the European Parliament, and the UK parliament. It is also referenced in briefing papers by the European Parliamentary Research Service.
On 6 December 2021, Professor Jan Nyssen presented the Tigray War Project’s research to an online conference organised by members of the European Parliament. One week after this event, Slovenia on behalf of the European Union submitted a request for a Special Session of the Human Rights Council. This was held on 17 December and resulted in a resolution establishing the international Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia.
In the framework of the preparation of the report by International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE), Professor Jan Nyssen was interviewed by ICHREE’s legal adviser Carolyn Buff on 7 July 2022. The contents of the www.ethiopiatigraywar.com database was discussed in detail. In a series of follow-up email communications, additional information on the Tigray War Project findings was communicated, particularly with regard to massacres and hate speech.
Whilst the situation of civilians in Tigray remains dire, and the international response inadequate, the limited actions taken to date have undoubtedly been strongly influenced by the casualty records documented and verified by the Tigray War Project. Furthermore, analysis of the Tigray War Project’s data reveals that deaths from direct violence are far exceeded by excess deaths resulting from the reverberating effects of the conflict, including starvation and lack of access to healthcare. The Tigray War Project estimated that there would be an average of 518,000 civilian victims in Tigray by the end of 2022, with a low estimate of 311,000 and a high estimate of 808,000. Around ten per cent would be caused by massacres, bomb hits, and other killings; 30 per cent by a total collapse of the healthcare system; 60 per cent by famine. This analysis must have an important impact on ensuring the international community’s response to the crisis in Tigray is directed proportionately at the causes of greatest harm and risk to civilians.
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