Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

ACHPR/Res. 429 (LXV) 2019 : Resolution on the Human Rights Situation in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 65th Ordinary Session held from 21 October to 10 November 2019, in Banjul, The Gambia:

Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa pursuant to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);

Bearing in mind the obligations of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia as a State Party to the African Charter;

Considering Article 1 of the African Charter which calls on States Parties to adopt legislative or other measures to give effect to the rights and freedoms enshrined therein;

Further considering Ethiopia’s obligations under the African Charter, including Articles 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22 and 23;

Further recalling Resolutions ACHPR/Res.92(XXXVIII)05, ACHPR/Res.218(LI)2012 and ACHPR/Res. 356(LIX) 2016, on the human rights situation in Ethiopia;

Concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Ethiopia in light of political or social conflicts;

Further concerned about threats to the safety, security, well-being and livelihoods of populations in certain regions of Ethiopia;

Concerned that over one million people have been displaced as a result of conflicts in Gedeo, West Guji region; Jijiga, Somali region; Qemant, Amhara region; Benishangul Gumuz region; and the East and West Wellega zone of the Oromia region;

Recognising the steps taken by the Government of Ethiopia to ensure the voluntary return of displaced persons, to foster dialogue and promote unity and reconciliation, and its efforts to halt attacks;

Concerned by reports that ethnic and religious tensions are escalating and that non-State actors are using social media platforms to spread hate and incite violence;

Gravely concerned about attacks on places of worship which have resulted in the deaths and injuries of worshippers;

Deeply concerned about the targeting and killing of persons on the basis of their ethnic or religious identity, and the looting and destruction of private property and public infrastructure;

Stressing the need for coordinated humanitarian intervention to ensure that displaced persons receive adequate assistance, and are in due course able to return home voluntarily, or are integrated into new settlement areas with access to housing, schools, healthcare and livelihood opportunities;

Welcoming the positive steps taken by the Prime Minister H.E. Abiy Ahmed from April 2018, including the lifting of the state of emergency, freeing political detainees, allowing exiled dissidents to return to the country, revising key laws such as the media and civil society laws, entering a historic peace deal with the State of Eritrea, and appointing women to key Government posts;

The Commission:

1. Condemns the deteriorating human rights situation in Ethiopia, particularly the ethnic and religious conflicts which have led to killings and injuries.

2. Calls on the Government of Ethiopia to:

1. ensure protection of the fundamental human rights of all Ethiopians residing in any of its regions;

2. initiate prompt, impartial and effective investigations into the human rights violations resulting from the conflict, and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and subjected to appropriate sanctions in accordance with relevant international and regional standards;

3. take all necessary measures to ensure the safety, security, well-being and livelihood of displaced populations in all regions of the country; and

4. ensure that victims of the violations and their families obtain full and adequate redress, including restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition.

3. Calls on the African Union and the international community to assist the Government in its humanitarian assistance efforts and in ensuring the safety and security of its population.

4. Calls on non-State actors, particularly leaders and members of opposition parties, other stakeholders and the general population to refrain from incitement and all acts of violence.

5. Urges all parties to engage in dialogue in order to bring about lasting peace and security in Ethiopia.

Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 10 November 2019