Tigrayan survivors file war crimes complaint against Ethiopian, Eritrean officials at German court

A group of Tigrayan survivors has filed a groundbreaking criminal complaint in Germany, accusing senior Ethiopian and Eritrean officials of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 2020-2022 conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.

The complaint, lodged with the German Federal Public Prosecutor, targets 12 individuals, including high-ranking military officers and government officials, and is based on Germany’s principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows the prosecution of international crimes regardless of where they were committed. The war in Tigray, which resulted in over 300,000 deaths and widespread atrocities, including sexual violence, forced starvation, and arbitrary detention, has left many survivors seeking justice.

Legal Action Worldwide (LAW), which represents the complainants, argues that Ethiopia’s judicial system is unable to hold high-level officials accountable, prompting the survivors to seek justice abroad. “Now it is up to the federal public prosecutor to decide whether to initiate an investigation,” said Nick Leddy, the LAW’s lead lawyer.
Among the complainants is Tsega, a survivor who lost his family members in the conflict, and other individuals who have suffered atrocities firsthand.

Germany’s involvement in such cases, including previous investigations into Syria and The Gambia, raises hopes that this will set a precedent for future accountability for war crimes globally. While Germany faces challenges in prosecuting foreign officials, the complaint serves as a crucial step in sending a message that perpetrators of mass atrocities will not find safe haven. The investigation could be a turning point in the pursuit of justice for Tigrayan victims. This is its second complaint submitted by LAW on behalf of Tigrayan victims. LAW is an independent non-profit organization comprised of human rights lawyers and jurists working in fragile and conflict affected areas.