Human Rights Situation in Ethiopia

We, the Forum on the participation of NGOS gathered in Accra (Ghana), on the occasion of the 41st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights,

Recalling that freedom of religion, freedom of opinion and expression, as well as the right to assemble are fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Ethiopia, and international instruments ratified by Ethiopia,

Noting that freedom of speech is the hallmark of a democratic society and the centerpiece of the privileges of the Parliament,

Deeply concerned about the treatment and prison conditions of opposition leaders, journalists, other human rights defenders held in Kaliti and other prisons, facing serious charges of attempted genocide, treason, and outrage against the constitutional order, crimes carrying the death penalty under Ethiopian law,

Recalling that in June and November 2005, government security forces killed at least 193 demonstrators protesting against the outcome of parliamentary elections and have wounded 763 others in Addis Ababa and other towns, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the people,

Observing that freedom of press and access to information have significantly been curtailed following the November 2005 crackdown on the private press; particularly, the arrest of 14 journalists and publishers of private papers, the raid on their offices and confiscation of their office equipment;

Alarmed by the recent media persecution on opposition party members who voted against the parliamentary resolution authorizing the government to take military action against Islamist forces in Somalia,

Concerned by the recent arbitrary arrest of active members of the Ethiopian Teachers Association (ETA); namely, Mr. Mekicha Mengistie, Mr. Tilahun Ayalew, Mr. Kenaw Aragie, and Mr. Anteneh Getinet,

Observing that despite international condemnation, the Ethiopian government has shown no sign of commitment to improve the human rights situation that deteriorated following government crackdown in the aftermath of the May 2005 elections,

Emphasising that the prime responsibility and duty to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Ethiopia lie with the State,

Requests the ACHPR to adopt a resolution:

1. Calling up on the Ethiopian government to release all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, human rights defenders, journalists, members of civil and professional associations, including members of ETA,

2. Urging the government to guarantee, at all times, the freedoms of opinion and expression as well as the right to hold peaceful demonstration and political assembly,

3. Calling upon the government to observe the provisions of the international human rights instruments ratified by Ethiopia and notably, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR), and its own Constitution,

4. Urging the government to bring to justice those responsible for the extrajudicial killings of over 193 civilians and six policemen and causing bodily harm to 763 others in June and November 2005, and those religious extremists who committed atrocities on members of other faiths in September and October 2005, and take all appropriate preventive measures so that people would live peacefully regardless of their political, ethnic or religious affiliations,

5. Calling upon the Ethiopian government to respect the rights of opposition members in parliament to freely express their political views and vote without fear of persecution whatsoever,

6. Calling upon the Ethiopian government to play the decisive role required of it to improve the political and human rights situations in the country and enhance the people’s faith in peaceful political struggle.

Done in Accra, 14th May, 2007