Ethiopian authorities have suspended three prominent human rights organizations, raising alarm among international rights groups and prompting calls for immediate action to reverse the decision. The Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD), the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE), and Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) were ordered to cease operations by the Ethiopian Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) on November 14, 2024.
The suspension has been widely condemned as a significant setback for civil society in Ethiopia. The ACSO accused the organizations of political bias and alleged that their activities undermined national interests. However, rights groups argue the move is part of a broader effort to silence critical voices and avoid scrutiny.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has strongly criticized the Ethiopian government for the decision, describing it as another step in a pattern of repression against independent organizations, journalists, and dissenting voices.
“Ethiopian authorities are squeezing shut whatever space remains for independent rights groups to operate in the country,” said Laetitia Bader, Deputy Africa Director at Human Rights Watch.
The three organizations have been outspoken about issues such as governance, the rule of law, and rights abuses in Ethiopia. Days before the suspension, they had co-signed a public letter criticizing proposed amendments to Ethiopia’s media law, which they argued would erode the independence of the media authority and place it under the control of the Office of the Prime Minister.
Both CARD and AHRE stated that ACSO failed to follow the required legal procedures under the 2019 Charities and Societies Proclamation. They claim they received no prior notice that their activities were considered non-compliant and are currently engaging with authorities to overturn the suspension. Lawyers for Human Rights announced plans to challenge the decision in court.
ACSO’s deputy director responded in a November 28 briefing, asserting that it was “inappropriate to conclude that civil society space had narrowed” but did not offer a timeline for resolving the suspensions.
The suspensions highlight an ongoing trend of repression against civil society and independent media in Ethiopia. Since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018, initial reforms—including the repeal of restrictive laws—had signaled hope for a more open society. However, recent years have seen a reversal, with rights groups and journalists facing mounting threats, harassment, and even exile.
In June 2023, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights terminated its inquiry into human rights violations in Tigray. Similarly, in September 2023, the UN Human Rights Council failed to renew its expert inquiry on Ethiopia. These setbacks have left few avenues for international scrutiny of Ethiopia’s human rights record.
Human Rights Watch and other advocacy groups are urging Ethiopia’s international partners to publicly condemn the suspensions and demand accountability.
“Concerned governments should not remain passive observers to Ethiopia’s deepening repression,” Bader said. “Swift condemnation and concrete pressure by regional and international partners are needed to deter and reverse further oppression.”
HRW is also calling on the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to increase its scrutiny and issue regular reports on Ethiopia’s deteriorating human rights situation.
Ethiopia’s partners, including the European Union, United States, and African Union, have been urged to leverage their relationships with the Ethiopian government to secure tangible commitments to human rights and accountability. Advocacy groups emphasize that the government’s recent actions risk undermining progress made in recent years and could erode public trust both domestically and internationally.
As the international community deliberates its response, rights defenders within Ethiopia face an increasingly precarious future. Observers warn that without strong and immediate action, the space for civil society in Ethiopia may shrink further, jeopardizing efforts to promote accountability, governance, and human rights in the country.
This situation underscores the urgent need for renewed global attention to Ethiopia’s human rights landscape, with an emphasis on safeguarding independent organizations essential to upholding democratic values.
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