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Ethiopian Human Rights Commission Expresses Deep Concern Over Widespread Use of Informal Detention and Enforced Disappearances

October 26, 2024 In a troubling report issued today, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) raised alarm over the continued detention of individuals in informal facilities and cases of enforced disappearances across the country. The EHRC described the current situation as “worrisome,” with numerous individuals reportedly detained outside regular prisons, often without legal due process, and some disappearing altogether with no trace of their whereabouts.

According to the EHRC, the problem is particularly severe for those in “prolonged detention,” “informal detention,” and cases of “enforced disappearance.” Victims, the report indicates, are frequently detained by both civilian and uniformed armed security forces without due legal procedure. Since July 2022, more than 52 individuals have reportedly been taken by government security forces, with families and the public left in the dark about their locations.

The EHRC statement highlights a deeply concerning pattern, indicating that these detentions lack formal legal oversight and that detainees are often held for extended periods in undisclosed locations. The lack of information has left families desperate and unable to determine the fate of their loved ones. In today’s statement, the EHRC confirmed that since July 2022, 44 individuals have been released after being detained for periods ranging from one to nine months in informal facilities. Shockingly, some of these individuals were undergoing court hearings before being taken into informal detention.

Despite significant efforts, the EHRC also disclosed that it has been unable to fully investigate detentions conducted in areas managed by the National Defense Force. This limitation has posed significant challenges for the commission as it seeks to assess the scope of the issue and ensure the protection of citizens’ rights across all detention areas.

The National Human Rights Defenders Institute, which reported on the findings, called attention to this ongoing crisis and urged authorities to address these violations. It emphasized the need for government accountability and the importance of adhering to established legal frameworks to prevent arbitrary detention and ensure due process. Human rights advocates have echoed these calls, emphasizing that the Ethiopian government must act to safeguard human rights and uphold the rule of law.

This latest report underscores the pressing need for systemic reforms in Ethiopia’s security and detention practices, which have been under scrutiny as the government grapples with internal security challenges. The EHRC has expressed its commitment to continue monitoring the situation closely, advocating for the rights of those impacted, and pushing for transparency and justice for all affected families.

The press release highlights a serious human rights issue where multiple individuals were reportedly detained without formal charges or disclosure of their locations. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) documents that detainees, including civilians and possibly children, were held under poor conditions in unofficial locations and subjected to significant psychological and physical distress.

The EHRC calls for immediate accountability and urges governmental action to ensure that individuals are either formally charged or released, with guarantees of humane treatment and rights protections.

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Habtamu Alemu

Habtamu Alemu is a seasoned journalist and the editor-in-chief of Ethio Eyewitness News.

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