⚠️Sexual Violence and the Humanitarian Crisis in the Tigray Genocide

The Tigray genocide stands as one of the most harrowing and inhumane chapters in recent history. Among its many atrocities, the systematic sexual violence inflicted on over 120,000 women and girls is particularly devastating. Perpetrated by the 🇪🇹 National Defense Forces, 🇪🇷 Defense Forces, and local Amhara militias, these crimes were not random acts of brutality, but deliberate tools of war aimed at terrorizing and dehumanizing an entire population.

The Weaponization of Sexual Violence

The scale and nature of the sexual violence were calculated and cruel. Women and girls of all ages were raped, gang-raped, tortured, and in some cases, murdered. Foreign objects were forcibly inserted into victims to inflict permanent physical damage and prevent future childbirth, a deliberate attack on the reproductive health and identity of Tigrayan women. Survivors were also intentionally infected with HIV, turning their very bodies into battlegrounds of cruelty.

For those who became pregnant as a result of this violence, their suffering was compounded by the birth of children who, in many cases, were also HIV-positive. These children, while innocent, are constant reminders of the atrocities endured, creating deep psychological scars for their mothers and perpetuating cycles of trauma and stigma within affected communities.

The Collapse of Healthcare Amidst a Siege

The destruction of health facilities and pharmaceutical supply chains during the conflict has only deepened the suffering. The ongoing siege of Tigray has left survivors without access to critical medical care. Women and girls who were raped have been denied treatment for their physical injuries and sexually transmitted infections, while psychological support remains virtually nonexistent.

Additionally, those living with chronic illnesses, including HIV, have been cut off from lifesaving medications, leading to preventable deaths among adults and children alike. This deliberate targeting of healthcare infrastructure has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, leaving countless individuals to suffer and die in silence.

The Need for International Justice

The perpetrators of these heinous crimes must be held accountable. Justice cannot and should not be constrained by borders. Eritrea, whose forces played a leading role in these atrocities, falls outside Ethiopia’s jurisdiction, making it essential to involve international justice mechanisms. The gravity of these crimes—systematic rape, torture, and genocidal acts—demands the intervention of institutions like the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Bringing the perpetrators to justice is not just about punishing those responsible; it is about restoring dignity to the survivors, acknowledging their suffering, and affirming the principle that no one is above the law. It sends a clear message that the international community will not stand by while war crimes and crimes against humanity are committed with impunity.

A Plea for Justice and Compassion

The voices of survivors, many of whom are left broken and silenced, must be amplified. These women and girls deserve more than our sympathy; they deserve action. Their lives have been shattered, their bodies violated, and their futures stolen. The world must rise to demand justice for them—not just for accountability but as a commitment to their humanity.

The children born of rape, many of whom are HIV-positive, are innocent victims who deserve love, care, and a chance for a better future. Denying justice to their mothers denies hope to an entire generation.
@MikeHammerUSA @berry__of @SecBlinken @realDonaldTrump