Introduction
In a statement released ahead of elections for the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC), CIVICUS and other organisations highlighted serious human rights violations in Ethiopia, urging UN member states to reject the country’s candidacy for the HRC. They highlighted 594 instances of human rights violations, affecting 8,253 victims, with government forces responsible for at least 70% of these violations. These included extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, sexual violence and ethnic-based killings, particularly in Oromia, Amhara,and Tigray regions. On 10th October 2024, during the 79th UN General Assembly, Ethiopia was elected to the HRC for the 2025-2027 term. This marks Ethiopia's third term on the Council, following previous memberships from 2013-2015 and 2016-2018. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted Ethiopia’s commitment to advancing human rights, peace, and sustainable development during its past terms. However, organisations highlight that Ethiopia’s election undermines the credibility of the HRC, given the country’s human rights record.
Association
On 14th November 2024, the Authority for Civil Society Organisations (ACSO) suspended without prior warning the activities of the Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD), a human rights organisation defending civil society participation in physical and digital spaces and promoting a democratic culture in Ethiopia. On 22nd November 2024, the ACSO also suspended the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE), an NGO dedicated to advancing human rights protection, and Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR), which supports human rights lawyers, also without prior warning. The ACSO reports that the organisations' activities “undermine public and State interests,” overly vague charges that are part of Ethiopian authorities’ repressive toolbox and pave the way for a further crackdown on critical and independent voices, particularly those working on human rights.
In recent months, prominent human rights defenders have been forced to leave the country and the authorities, including Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, have publicly smeared and targeted human rights actors, including Ethiopia’s national human rights institution, the Ethiopia Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and NGOs, which are regularly accused of being “foreign agents” and of working against national interests.
Peaceful Assembly
On 3rd September 2024, security forces opened fire on protesters in Gondar, killing two and injuring another two. The protesters had gathered in response to the murder of Nolawit, a child abducted on 28th August 2024. Despite her parents paying most of the ransom demanded, the kidnappers killed Nolawit and abandoned her body in a yard.
Expression
On 30th September 2024, authorities arrested Yeshihasab Abera, deputy editor of the state-owned Bekur newspaper, at the Amhara Media Corporation offices in Amhara Regional State capital, Bahir Dar, for unknown reasons. They initially detained him at a makeshift military station, then transferred him to a police station, but later moved him to an unknown location on 3rd October 2024. This incident adds to the hundreds of arbitrary detentions reported in Amhara since 28th September 2024.
On 25th November 2024, government forces detained sixteen residents of Darra district in Oromia region, after they raised concerns to the media about violence and recent civilian killings by the Fano forces, an armed militia in Amhara Region. Accusations against them include the vaguely worded offence of "inciting public division." This crackdown on free speech and civic engagement reflects the government's increasing repression and adds to the illegal series of reported arrests in various parts of the Amhara region.