# Ethiopia Calls for UN Human Rights Council Special Session > Ethiopia urges UN Human Rights Council to hold emergency session amid escalating conflict and atrocity risks. - Title: Ethiopia Calls for UN Human Rights Council Special Session - Summary: Ethiopia urges UN Human Rights Council to hold emergency session amid escalating conflict and atrocity risks. Ethiopia's civil society groups demand UN Human… - Keywords: ethiopia, human rights council, tigray, federal government, tplf, atrocity crimes, human rights, civil society, conflict, humanitarian crisis, united nations, Calls - Source: Allafrica — https://allafrica.com/stories/202610090280.html - Published: 2026-10-09T09:21:06+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: ethiopia, human rights council, un, tigray, federal government, tplf, atrocity crimes, human rights, civil society, conflict, humanitarian crisis, united nations ## Ethiopia conflict escalates Heavy fighting resumes in Ethiopia with drone strikes, mortar attacks, and artillery fire targeting civilian areas and infrastructure. > On 22 September 2026, after long-simmering tensions between the Ethiopian Federal Government led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) escalated from sporadic clashes and airstrikes to open military confrontation ## Human rights crisis deepens Ethiopia's civil society groups urge UN Human Rights Council to hold emergency session to address deteriorating human rights situation and prevent further atrocities. > Ethiopia: The Human Rights Council should convene a special session to address the quickly deteriorating human rights situation and prevent further atrocity crimes ## Conflict impacts humanitarian services Disruptions to health care, internet, banking, and air travel worsen humanitarian crisis in northern Ethiopia amid active fighting. > The conflict is exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in northern Ethiopia due to disruptions to essential services and supply routes ## Previous conflict atrocities 2020-2022 conflict involved mass civilian deaths, sexual violence, forced displacement, and ethnic cleansing with death toll estimates up to several hundred thousand. > The previous conflict was marked by atrocity crimes, massacres of civilians and other unlawful killings, widespread conflict-related sexual and reproductive violence ## Accountability gaps Federal government has shelved transitional justice process while UN terminated International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia mandate. > There has been no accountability for the grave crimes committed, including because the federal government has largely shelved its transitional justice process ## UN and AU express concern UN Secretary-General, High Commissioner for Human Rights, and African Union all warn of escalating crisis and urge restraint and civilian protection. > The UN Secretary-General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the African Union (AU) have all expressed alarm about the situation and urged restraint, de-escalation and civilian protection ## Human Rights Council action needed Human Rights Council should convene special session before February 2027 to address human rights crisis in Ethiopia. > The Human Rights Council should act before its next regular session, which is scheduled for February 2027 ## Special session demands Council must adopt resolution requesting expert panel to assess human rights violations and make recommendations for accountability. > At the session, we urge the adoption of a resolution requesting the Council's President to appoint an advisory panel of experts ## Expert panel requirements Panel must assess violations since August 2026, prepare report by January 31, 2027, and ensure accountability for past and ongoing violations. > To swiftly undertake an assessment of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law committed in Ethiopia by all parties to the conflict since August 2026 ## Regional stability at risk Escalation threatens regional stability in Horn of Africa with diplomatic tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea. > The escalation occurred against a backdrop of geopolitical tensions that led to the cutting of diplomatic ties between Eritrea and Ethiopia ## Civil society groups involved AfricanDefenders, Amnesty International, Atrocities Watch Africa, and 30 other human rights organizations signed joint letter to UN Human Rights Council. > AfricanDefenders (Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network), Africans for the Horn of Africa Initiative (Af4HA), Amnesty International ## Current military situation Ethiopian National Defence Force has captured Mekelle and other towns while fighting spreads to Afar and Amhara regions. > On 1 October, blasts were reported in Addis Ababa after Ethiopia's National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) declared a ban on operating drones and other flying objects in the capital ## Human rights violations Indiscriminate airstrikes, attacks on health facilities, and civilian infrastructure reported in conflict zones. > Heavy fighting, involving the use of drone strikes, mortar strikes and artillery fire, including indiscriminate airstrikes in populated areas and on civilian infrastructure that may amount to war crimes ## Next steps for resolution Human Rights Council must convene emergency session to prevent further atrocities and ensure accountability for violations. > Makes clear that the Council will stand ready to take further action to prevent human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law in Ethiopia ## Key takeaway Ethiopia's civil society groups demand UN Human Rights Council convene special session to address human rights crisis and prevent further atrocities in ongoing conflict.