News release

Ethiopia: ICRC stands ready to act as neutral intermediary release of people detained in relation to the fighting in Tigray

Addis Ababa (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has not received 858 members of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) as it was reported.

However, the ICRC stands ready, in its role as neutral intermediary, to facilitate the release and return of people detained in relation to the fighting and other humanitarian operations in Tigray for all sides.

As a neutral intermediary, the ICRC is not involved in any political negotiations. Release operations are carried out at the request of authorities with the ICRC operating in a strictly humanitarian capacity, ensuring those being released consent to and are fit to travel and are then transported safely.

The ICRC has a long-standing role as a neutral intermediary in conflicts and other situations of violence around the world, including recently in Yemen where the ICRC transported more than 1,000 former detainees back to their region of origin or home countries.

 

For further information, please contact:

Zewdu Ayalew, ICRC Addis Ababa, zayalew@icrc.org, +251 911 614 336
Crystal Wells, ICRC Nairobi, cwells@icrc.org, +254 716 897 265

or visit our website: www.icrc.org

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