Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement in response to the reported massacre of unarmed civilians in Mahbere Dego and several other credible and disturbing reports describe widespread violence against unarmed civilians in Ethiopia: 

“The Foreign Affairs Committee has long been raising the alarm on the grievous situation in Tigray region, as well as the internal conflicts occurring throughout Ethiopia. I condemn all forms of violence, including what appears to be a massacre of unarmed civilians in this region. Though I acknowledge recent commitments by the Government of Ethiopia to allow for an investigation into such atrocities, I’ll continue to press for a thorough, independent, and internationally led investigation into this incident and many others as reported by the press and human rights advocates. Should these allegations be proven true, all responsible parties should be held accountable for these gross violations of human rights. We call on all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities and negotiate a democratic and peaceful solution to this crisis. This is the only path toward ending the suffering of innocent civilians and holding credible, free, and fair elections in Ethiopia.”

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