Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ethiopia: Tigray Crisis

Tuesday 30 November 2021 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister spoke with African Union representatives and President Kenyatta regarding the Tigray crisis.
  • Minister urged for the release of unlawfully detained individuals and warned of ethnic violence risks.
  • Minister supports UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in discussing human rights issues at the UN.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Foreign Affairs
Context

The conflict in Tigray has escalated, leading to a state of emergency declared by the Ethiopian government. Constituents have expressed concerns about family members detained and not being able to contact them.

Question

What diplomatic steps are you taking to help de-escalate the crisis in Tigray following the declaration of the state of emergency in Ethiopia?

Answer from Vicky Ford

We remain deeply concerned about the situation and continue to engage with and call upon all parties to press for a ceasefire. Since the state of emergency was declared, I have spoken with African Union High Representative Obasanjo and AU Commissioner Bankole, as well as President Kenyatta of Kenya, urging the Ethiopian State Minister Redwan to engage in mediation efforts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not directly address the specific ask about unlawfully detained individuals.

How: Changing Subject

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Q2 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Foreign Affairs
Context

The conflict has escalated, causing significant distress to constituents who have family members unlawfully detained.

Question

My constituents with family detained in the capital of Ethiopia have not heard from them for over a year. Can you outline what efforts have been made with the international community to ensure that all those unlawfully detained across Ethiopia are released?

Answer from Vicky Ford

The situation is incredibly challenging, and I have urged Minister Redwan to end civilian mobilisation and ethnically targeted arrests. There is a growing risk of uncontrollable ethnic violence, and we strongly urge all British nationals to leave now while commercial flights are available.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not directly address the specific ask about unlawfully detained individuals.

How: Changing Subject

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Q3 Laurence Robertson Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

There is a growing risk of the disintegration of Ethiopia due to ethnic violence.

Question

As chairman of the all-party parliamentary group for Ethiopia, I thank the Minister for her work on this difficult issue. The Prime Minister himself has taken up arms, which demonstrates the seriousness of the situation. Does the Minister feel that the UN could be doing more to bring about peace in Ethiopia?

Answer from Vicky Ford

My hon. Friend is right; it is a tragic situation with widespread abuses, including sexual violence. We are fully supporting the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in her calls for further discussion of the human rights report and its recommendations at the UN in Geneva.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a specific assessment of what more the UN could do.

How: Changing Subject

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Q4 Stephen Doughty Labour (Co-op) Cardiff South and Penarth
Foreign Affairs
Context

The crisis in Ethiopia and Tigray has led to shocking atrocities including war crimes, sexual violence, and potential genocide.

Question

We have seen reports of war crimes, sexual violence, and warnings of potential genocide. What assessment has the Minister made of these serious reports? How are we protecting UK citizens still present in Ethiopia?

Answer from Vicky Ford

We continue to ask all sides not to use inflammatory language, which makes the situation more dangerous. We have provided humanitarian aid of up to £76.7 million for north Ethiopia, including critical food aid and medical care.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address the specific ask about protecting British citizens and bringing perpetrators to justice.

How: Changing Subject

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Q5 Jeremy Hunt Con Godalming and Ash
Foreign Affairs
Context

There are warnings of genocide occurring in Tigray, a situation that raises serious ethical questions.

Question

A genocide is happening in Tigray. What work is the Minister doing with our partners to send a message to Prime Minister Abiy that no aid can be channelled through the Ethiopian government until the genocide stops?

Answer from Vicky Ford

We are working closely with our partners in the US and UN, supporting Obasanjo's mediation efforts. As for the Nobel peace prize, it is a decision for the Nobel Committee.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address the specific ask about aid conditions.

How: Changing Subject

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