International Development Grant

Investigation of Grave Human Rights Violations in Tigray Ethiopia

Project Number: CA-3-P010625001

Status: Closed

Country/Region:

Ethiopia 100.00%

Maximum Contribution: $604,050.00

Start Date: May 25, 2021

End Date: March 31, 2022

Duration: 1.0 years

Project Description

This project supports the Joint Mission of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission in investigating human rights violations committed by all parties in the context of the Tigray conflict in Ethiopia. This joint investigation aims to produce an expert report providing a comprehensive account of human rights and humanitarian law abuses and violations in Tigray including sexual and gender-based violence and its impact on women men girls and boys. These findings assist the Government of Ethiopia and the international community in providing redress for survivors and pursuing accountability measures against perpetrators.

Expected Results

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) provided a comprehensive and accurate account of human rights and humanitarian law abuses and violations in Tigray including sexual and gender-based violence and its impact on women men girls and boys; (2) identified atrocity crimes and other serious violations committed in the context of the conflict and provided guidance on the necessary measures to facilitate redress for victims and prevent recurrence; (3) provided clear actionable and gender-sensitive recommendations to the relevant actors to address human rights and humanitarian concerns; and (4) assisted in improving the accountability process related to finding the violations and assisted in advocating for effective remedies for victims. The overall objective of the joint mission is to conduct a comprehensive investigation into allegations of human rights and international humanitarian law violations committed by all parties in the context of the conflict in Tigray.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved at the end of the project (August 2023) include: (1) organized information and awareness sessions on the agricultural orientation act (loi d’orientation agricole) the agricultural land act (loi sur le foncier agricole) the agricultural land policy (politique foncière agricole) their implementing decrees and orders on agricultural land for the benefit of the 20 target municipalities; (2) distributed 2 000 copies in local languages of the 2 acts and agricultural land policy in the communities targeted by the project; (3) produced and presented a play in the communities on management of natural resources and conflicts; (4) produced and broadcast 42 interactive radio shows on how climate change effects exacerbate conflicts with an estimated audience of over 312 000 people; (5) established 20 community forums on local issues relating to land governance with the participation of 410 people (95 women and 315 men); (6) supported the implementation of 20 local peace initiatives based on sound government of natural resources with the engagement of 1 556 people (679 women and 877 men); (7) guided and supported the skills of 400 members (83 women and 317 men) of land commissions working within municipalities involved in the project in the development of natural resources with the integration of a gender- and conflict-sensitive approach; (8) organized 8 training sessions on the agricultural land act the land and titles act (loi domaniale et foncière) and the agricultural orientation act for the benefit of 168 participants (50 women and 118 men); and (9) organized dialogue and capacity-building sessions on rural land issues and natural resources with the participation of 11 judges 20 elected deputies and 100 elected municipal officials.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
OHCHR - United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
YFMInternaAssistPartnershp&Programing Br

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Human rights 100%

Aid Type: Contributions to specific-purpose programmes and funds managed by implementing partners

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Foreign Affairs and Trade Gs&Cs

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Budget Breakdown
2021-04-01 to 2022-03-31 $604,050 CAD
Geographic Information
050""
Reference ID: Geoname Code:337996;SRSName:http://www.opengis.net/def/crs/EPSG/0/4326;GeoCoordinates:9.000000 39.500000