Ethiopia is currently facing significant international criticism due to an escalating crackdown on human rights organizations within the country. This crackdown, characterized by harassment, intimidation, and threats against human rights defenders, is posing a severe threat to the freedom and safety of these organizations. The Ethiopian authorities must take immediate action to halt these aggressive tactics and uphold their commitments to human rights and freedoms.
In recent months, Ethiopian security and intelligence forces have increased their intimidation and harassment efforts against prominent human rights organizations. The Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO), the country’s oldest independent human rights organization, has been a particular target. Since February 2024, government forces have followed staff members to their workplaces and homes, demanding they cease their human rights activities. The situation worsened in May 2024, when security officials visited EHRCO’s Addis Ababa office, threatening two staff members and intensifying the campaign of intimidation.
Several incidents highlight the severity of the crackdown:
- April 6, 2024: Two security personnel visited the home of an EHRCO staff member, warning them to stop their human rights work or face consequences.
- January 5, 2023: Four EHRCO staff members were arbitrarily detained by Ethiopian police while investigating forced evictions. They were released on bail a week later.
- September 6, 2022: Security forces disrupted a peace conference organized by 35 local civil society organizations, demonstrating the government’s hostility towards civil discourse and peace-building efforts.
These incidents are part of a broader pattern of harassment that includes bureaucratic impediments and a general crackdown on civil society organizations (CSOs). The Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO), a federal body overseeing CSOs, has stopped registering new human rights organizations since August 2023, further stifling civic space.
The crackdown extends to the media, with numerous journalists facing detention and harassment. Since the state of emergency declaration in Amhara in August 2023, at least nine journalists have been detained. Notably, Ethio News chief editor Belay Manaye was detained in harsh conditions without access to healthcare or legal representation. Although he was released in June 2024, many journalists remain imprisoned under severe allegations, including terrorism charges that carry the death penalty.
Internet access has been restricted in conflict regions, particularly in Amhara, limiting the ability to report on and respond to human rights abuses. The Ethiopian Press Freedom Defenders report that around 200 journalists have been arrested since 2019, highlighting a sustained effort to silence dissenting voices.
International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the World Organisation Against Torture, have condemned the Ethiopian government’s actions. They emphasize that these actions violate fundamental rights to freedom of expression and association, as enshrined in the Ethiopian Constitution and international human rights treaties.
The United Nations Human Rights Committee and the Committee against Torture have urged the Ethiopian government to protect journalists and human rights defenders from harassment and attacks. They recommend creating a safe environment for these individuals to operate without fear of reprisal. Cooperation with international bodies such as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights is crucial.
The Ethiopian government’s crackdown on human rights organizations is a dire situation that requires immediate attention and action. Respecting human rights and allowing civic space to flourish is essential for Ethiopia’s progress and international standing. The international community must continue to pressure Ethiopian authorities to adhere to their human rights obligations and protect the essential work of human rights defenders and journalists.
For more detailed information, you can access the full report here.
Leave a Reply