On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is observed annually on January 27, women human rights defenders and eight women-led civil society organisations have called for urgent action to stop the continuation of genocidal violence and ensure accountability for atrocities in Tigray.
Honouring the memory of Holocaust victims, they emphasise that early warning signs of genocide were evident in Tigray, yet international responses were delayed and insufficient. The war in Tigray that started in 2020 has resulted in an intentional mass killings, widespread sexual violence targeting women and girls, deliberate starvation tactics, destruction of essential services, and forced displacement.
The joint press release highlights that gender-based violence and attacks on women are not incidental but integral indicators of genocidal violence. The defenders urge the international community to act decisively on early warnings, recognise gender-based violence as a key risk factor, support independent investigations, and protect women human rights defenders who play a critical role in prevention and peacebuilding.
They stress that remembrance must translate into timely prevention and action, insisting that “Never Again” must apply universally, including to the ongoing crisis in Tigray.
The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a time to remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.
As the world is witnessing an alarming rise of antisemitism around the globe, many advise that it is more important than ever for everyone to recognise the critical lessons of Holocaust history as we commemorate the victims and honour the survivors.
And this opportunity should give a lesson to pay attention to other contemporary genocides, ethnic cleansing acts, atrocities, war crimes, crimes against humanity, etc, as what happened in Tigray-Ethiopia between 2020-2022 and continues in a silent mode.
The list of civil society organisations and human rights defenders (see attachment) has reminded the international community to make the memorial day relevant by responding to contemporary genocidal violence and humanitarian crises as well.