Since the outbreak of the armed conflict in Ethiopia in November 2020, millions of people have been internally displaced in Tigray and tens of thousands have crossed the border into neighbouring countries. The war, which pits forces aligned with Ethiopia’s federal government against those affiliated with Tigray’s regional government led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, has gone largely underreported, despite accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity by international organization such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

From extrajudicial executions, mass arrests and acts of sexual violence to widespread pillage and looting, Tigrayans are being targeted in a campaign of ethnic cleansing. The war in Ukraine will further exacerbate humanitarian crisis as food insecurity worsen in the Horn of Africa.

The Montreal Institute of Genocide and Human Rights Studies (Concordia University), Security and Justice for Tigrayans Canada (SJT Canada) and World Beyond War are hosting a virtual discussion to shine light on the ongoing crisis occurring in Tigray.

The event will be livestreamed on MIGS' Facebook and YouTube pages. A direct link will be sent to attendees a few days in advance.

Speakers

• Heather McPherson, Member of Parliament (NDP), Edmonton Strathcona, Alberta

• Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Member of Parliament (Bloc Quebecois), Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec

• Gebremeskel Kassa, former Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff for the President of the PM Abiy Ahmed-appointed Interim government in Tigray

• Fisseha Tekle, Amnesty International researcher for Ethiopia

• Ewelina Ochab, human rights advocate, author and co-founder of the Coalition for Genocide Response

Moderators:

- Marie Lamensch, Project coordinator

- Sisay Woldemichael, a board member of SJTC.