Ethiopian Crackdown on Rights Groups Intensifies
Ethiopian authorities have recently escalated their suppression of civil society by suspending two prominent human rights organizations: the Ethiopian Human Rights Council and the Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center. This action was taken under claims of lacking independence and exceeding their mandates, as reported by Human Rights Watch, urging the government to immediately reverse these decisions.
Previous Suspensions Signal Systematic Intimidation
These recent suspensions follow the earlier targeting of three other rights organizations, including the Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD). Although the government temporarily lifted the suspensions on some groups, they were reinstated when authorities claimed the groups failed to address past warnings. As reported by Human Rights Watch, this chilling sequence of actions mirrors Ethiopia’s historic patterns of repressing civil society.
Restrictive Legal Framework Facilitates Suppression
Under the 2009 Charities and Societies Proclamation, the government possessed broad powers to restrict civil society operations. Following the adoption of the Organization of Civil Societies Proclamation in 2019, which aimed to relax these oppressive constraints, the current regime appears to be reasserting its control by utilizing vague and politicized rationale to suspend rights organizations.
Essential Role of Independent Voices in Justice Processes
Human Rights Watch emphasizes that independent public scrutiny is essential for enforcing accountability regarding ongoing atrocities, particularly in conflict-affected areas like Amhara and Oromia. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has voiced concerns about the suspensions, highlighting the critical need for independent organizations in the transitional justice process.
International Community and Pressure Needed
Ethiopia’s foreign partners, particularly the United States and France, are urged to condemn these actions against civil society. As reported by Human Rights Watch, both countries have provided support to Ethiopia’s civil society authority, thus they should demand that their assistance aligns with respect for civil society. A concerted push is vital to forestall further repression in the country and to encourage transparency and accountability in its transitional justice initiatives.
Ethiopia has suspended two human rights organizations, raising alarms over increased government repression. The Ethiopian Human Rights Council and the Human Rights Defenders Center were targeted under claims of misconduct. This follows earlier suspensions of other rights groups, emphasizing a broader pattern of intimidation against civil society. Urgent action from international partners is deemed necessary to support independent advocacy efforts.
Ethiopia’s recent crackdown on human rights organizations raises significant concerns about the independence of civil society and the government’s attempts to silence dissent. The actions illustrate a systematic tactic of intimidation against groups advocating for rights amidst ongoing atrocities. International scrutiny and support for independent voices remain crucial to uphold accountability and transparency in Ethiopia’s justice processes.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
