Stifling human rights work, The impact of civil society legislation in Ethiopia (Amnesty)

                                                      March 13, 2013

“The Charities and Societies law is debilitating us” Human rights organization staff member.

In practice, the law has had a devastating impact on human rights work in Ethiopia. Since the law was passed human rights organizations have decreased in number, many have changed the focus of their mandate, and those human rights organizations who have ‘survived’ have significantly scaled down their activities due to the major impact of funding restrictions. Offices have been closed, and large numbers of staff have lost their jobs.Development organizations have abandoned the ‘rights-based approach’ to development.  In restricting human rights organizations from doing their legitimate and essential work, the law has significantly affected the promotion and protection of the rights of the Ethiopian people. Civil society organizations are essential to upholding human rights, equality and justice at all levels of society, and to holding governments to account for their performance and adherence to national and international human rights commitments.

"Before the law was passed, HRCO were undertaking significant levels of human rights work across the country. For example, during 2008 HRCO investigators documented 9,000 reports of human rights abuse. Of these, 1,723 were further investigated and reports issued. These included 475 reports of unlawful detention, 435 reports of extra-judicial killings, and 201 reports of torture. Its mandated activities also included issuing three regular reports per year on ‘The Human Rights Situation in Ethiopia,’ and special reports from detailed investigations of specific issues. In 2008 HRCO issued the three regular reports, and six special reports on specific issues."