Geneva, September 8, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopia has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing human rights, democratic governance, the rule of law, accountability and national reconciliation while stressing that the country’s reform and transitional justice processes must remain nationally owned and grounded in its own realities.
Addressing the 63rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC63) under Item 2, Ambassador Tsegab Kebebew, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the United Nations Office and Other International Organizations in Geneva, highlighted the country’s recent political developments as important foundations for its continuing reform agenda.
He pointed to the successful conduct of Ethiopia’s seventh national election in June 2026 and the conclusion of the country’s historic and inclusive National Dialogue, describing the developments as significant milestones in strengthening democratic governance and creating a foundation for advancing transitional justice through a nationally owned process.
Ambassador Tsegab also reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed in Pretoria in November 2022, emphasizing the importance of preserving the integrity of the agreement and calling on the international community to reject actions that could undermine progress toward lasting peace.
He said Ethiopia remains focused on strengthening the rule of law, civic participation and institutional capacity, while emphasizing constructive engagement, dialogue, cooperation and capacity-building with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and other international partners.
At the same time, Ethiopia stressed that international engagement on human rights should be anchored in objectivity, impartiality, non-selectivity, national ownership and sovereign equality.
The country cautioned against selective or politicized approaches to human rights issues, saying such approaches risk undermining nationally owned reform processes and weakening constructive international cooperation.
Ethiopia’s position comes as the country continues to engage actively with the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms, including through its service on the Council Bureau, the Vice-Presidency of the Council and the chairmanship of the Council’s Accessibility Task Force.
The remarks underscore Ethiopia’s effort to pursue human rights and institutional reforms while maintaining that sustainable progress must be driven by nationally owned processes capable of reflecting the country’s political, social and institutional realities.