General situation
On 23rd May 2023, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) ended the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry concerning the situation in the Tigray Region of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
On 12th July 2023, security forces at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport stopped Aba Serekebirhan Woldesamuel, an outspoken critic of the war in the Tigray region, from proceeding to his intended destination for unknown reasons. According to recent reports circulating in local media, he is believed to be involved in the planned nomination of 10 Archbishops for dioceses under the newly established See of Selama Kessate Berhan Archdiocese of the Tigray Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
On 19th July 2023, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, along with Ethiopia's Council of Ministers, passed a new draft bill during the 22nd regular meeting. The bill aims to regulate the management and use of classified government information while outlining the rights and obligations of various government institutions, officials and employees.
On 3rd August 2023, Yelikal Kefale, the President of the Amhara regional state, directed an appeal to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the federal government to create and implement a crucial legal framework to address the increasing security unrest, including disruptions in flights and internet shutdowns.
Association
On 24th July 2023, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called for the immediate release of seven Oromo opposition members who have been detained by Ethiopian authorities for nearly three years without justification, as previously documented on the Monitor. Their arrest is allegedly linked to their political involvement.
UPDATE: Ethiopia has banned a TV station affiliated to the country's Orthodox church after accusing it of broadcasting inciteful content.
— GT News (@gtnewsdigital) May 22, 2023
The media regulator (EMA) said it temporarily banned the Mahibere Kidusan TV after broadcasting incitement messages on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/lHV68SI1Mm
Expression
On 21st May 2023, the Ethiopian Media Authority temporarily suspended Mahibere Kidusan TV for airing a statement from a Committee established by the Holy Synod. The statement urged the gathering of priests to address internal tensions regarding the appointment of new episcopate members for Oromia regional state.
On 30th June 2023, an unnamed journalist explained that engaging in any form of reporting on human rights could result in journalists being linked with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (LGBTQ+). Speaking to a correspondent from the International Press Institute (IPI), the journalist also noted that reporting on feminism for instance is often perceived to be affiliated with lesbianism. LGBTQ+ journalists are subjected to intimidation, invasion of their private lives and the threat of torture, according to IPI. The threat of invasion of private life leads journalists to limit the scope of work they report on, including by avoiding human rights reporting.
On 17th July 2023, an employee from Ethiopia Insider reported that the outlet's office had suffered theft the night before. The stolen items include three cameras, a smartphone, four laptops and six camera lenses. Allegations suggest that the perpetrators selectively took equipment to inflict damage on the company's video reporting capabilities. This suspicion is intensified by the significant pressure the media outlet has been facing due to their reporting.