Photo: Elver Barnes, Flickr.
(Geneva) – Just weeks before the 2015 Ethiopian elections, time is running out for the Ethiopian Government to demonstrate a commitment to human rights and freedom of expression, and to remove restrictions upon civil society, said ISHR in a briefing paper published today.
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is scheduled to be reviewed at the 56th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights from 21 April – 7 May 2015.
In its 51st ordinary Session, the African Commission adopted Resolution 218 on the Human Rights Situation in Ethiopia condemning the arrest and prosecution of journalists and political opposition members for exercising their legitimate rights of freedom of expression and association, as well as the excessive restrictions placed on the work of human rights defenders.
The Commission also called on the Ethiopian Government to ensure legislation is compliant with the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and other international human rights instruments.
Especially vulnerable are human rights defenders working on LGBTI issues and Muslim activists.
Key recommendations that should be made to Ethiopia during its review include that the Government ensure the investigation of all violations against human rights defenders and repeal existing legislation used to criminalise the legitimate work of human rights defenders.
ISHR’s briefing paper on the situation of human rights defenders in Ethiopia is intended to highlight the situation for human rights defenders in Ethiopia since its last review by the African Commission; the steps taken by the Ethiopia to implement the African Commission’s past recommendations; and key recommendations for the African Commission to consider making to Ethiopia during its current review.
After three years of online sessions, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (the Commission) resumed in person sessions. The 73rd session was held from 20 October to 9 November 2022 in Banjul, The Gambia. This session was marked by the commemoration of the 35th anniversary of the Commission.
In compliance with Article 62 of the African Charter, States have the obligation to report every two years on the legislative, administrative and political measures taken with a view to give effect to human rights guaranteed by the Charter. The Islamic Republic of Mauritania, which ratified the Charter in 1986, submitted its 15th-16th and 17th Periodic Reports for its review.
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (‘the African Commission’) examined the periodic report of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire covering the period 2016-2019, during its public session held from 20 to 30 October 2022 in Banjul, The Gambia. The report presents the progress made by Côte d'Ivoire regarding the state of human rights since its last review by the Commission.
