On November 12, 2024, the UN Human Rights Council’s UPR Working Group reviews Ethiopia’s human rights record for the fourth time, focusing on progress made and ongoing challenges. The Ethiopian delegation will address past recommendations and recent developments amid increasing reports of rights abuses and criticism from organizations like the CPJ. The review highlights the pressing need for reforms and accountability in the wake of a humanitarian crisis.
On November 12, 2024, Ethiopia’s human rights practices are once again under the microscope as the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group conducts its fourth examination of the nation. Over the span of twelve days, this session will touch upon the human rights situations of 14 countries, establishing a platform for introspection and accountability. Previous reviews have occurred in December 2009, May 2014, and May 2019, each act tasked with shedding light on the strides made and challenges faced by Ethiopia in restoring and enhancing human rights. Ethereal echoes of the past beckon as the Ethiopian delegation, led by State Minister of Justice Belayihun Yirga, prepares to unveil a tapestry woven from achievements and ongoing issues in the country’s human rights landscape. As the candles of anticipation burn bright, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) cautioned that Ethiopian authorities must embrace press freedom during this review. Their statement resonates with the urgency of the moment, stating that the government should “accept and implement recommendations on improving press freedom conditions and guaranteeing the safety of journalists”. The clouds of concern grow denser, massing over Ethiopia, as the CPJ’s earlier report illuminated darkened corners of the press landscape. The document highlighted the somber realities of arbitrary detentions, acts of violence against journalists, and restrictive laws stifling voices, prompting a call for the release of detained journalists and an end to impunity in attacks against the press. The air thickens with worry as prominent rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, voice their apprehensions regarding escalating human rights violations amid a humanitarian crisis. With the haunting backdrop of conflicts in regions like Amhara and Oromia, these organizations draw attention to the pressing need for accountability and reform. The UPR process, a beacon of hope since 2008, offers a constructive lens through which all 193 UN Member States face their human rights records. This cycle, particularly for Ethiopia, becomes an opportunity to not only recount past promises but also to illuminate new commitments and initiatives, fostering a vibrant dialogue around human rights.
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a significant mechanism established by the United Nations in 2008, aimed at examining the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. Each state is required to present its human rights practices, responding to past recommendations and highlighting new developments. Ethiopia’s UPR, now in its fourth iteration, emerges amidst a climax of serious reports detailing human rights abuses, creating a context ripe for critique, accountability, and potential reform. The role of civil society and human rights organizations is pivotal during this review, providing critical assessments of the situation on the ground. With Ethiopia’s history marred by conflict and systemic violations, this review poses a moment of reckoning, where stakeholders hope to see tangible commitments from the government to improve human rights conditions. This particular review follows dire reports about press oppression, arbitrary detentions, and pervasive violence against journalists, painting a grim picture of the environment for free expression in Ethiopia, while emphasizing the necessity for reforms that align with international human rights standards.
The UN’s examination of Ethiopia’s human rights record serves as a crucial juncture in the nation’s ongoing struggle for accountability and reform. As voices from civil society and international bodies amplify concerns, the Ethiopian delegation must tread carefully, weaving truth and transformation into their narrative. The road ahead is riddled with challenges, but each step taken during this review could pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future, where human rights are not just a set of promises, but lived realities for every Ethiopian.
Original Source: allafrica.com
