HRW is warning that the move represents a significant crackdown on independent oversight amidst ongoing regional conflicts.
The organisations; Centre for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy, the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia, and Lawyers for Human Rights, were suspended in mid-November. The Ethiopian government accused them of political bias and undermining national interests. HRW, however, has described this as part of a troubling pattern of government actions aimed at curbing civil society and silencing dissent.
Laetitia Bader, HRW's Horn of Africa Director, spoke to Channel Africa on the growing restrictions against civil society in Ethiopia, highlighting the suspension as the latest in a series of actions over the past few years. She pointed out that these measures follow a broader trend, especially since the 2020 outbreak of conflict in Tigray, where independent monitoring and human rights reporting have become increasingly difficult. Bader noted that the organisations suspended in November were already facing months of harassment and surveillance, with staff members subjected to intense government scrutiny.
The Ethiopian government’s crackdown extends beyond local organisations. Bader explained that journalists, both local and international, have also been subjected to increasing pressure.
A report by the Committee to Protect Journalists revealed that at least 54 Ethiopian journalists have fled the country since 2020, reflecting the heightened risk for media workers. Moreover, international investigative efforts, such as those by the African Commission and the United Nations, have faced significant obstacles. These efforts, meant to investigate abuses during the Tigray conflict, were ultimately stymied due to government interference, leaving human rights violations largely unreported.
Despite the government's accusations against the three suspended organisations, suggesting that they are politically biased and harmful to national interests, there has been little transparency regarding the specifics of these allegations. The organisations in question have argued that the government’s Charity and Societies Agency has not followed the required legal procedures, such as informing them of their alleged non-compliance. Two of the organisations are currently challenging the suspension, which leaves the charges against them unclear and unsubstantiated.
The suspension of these organisations is particularly concerning as Ethiopia continues to grapple with active conflicts in several regions. The Amhara region, for instance, remains embroiled in violence, with both government forces and local militias accused of committing war crimes, including attacks on hospitals and healthcare workers. In Tigray, while the official conflict has ceased, reports of human rights abuses persist, particularly in areas still occupied by Eritrean forces. The situation in Oromia also remains volatile due to ongoing insurgency and counterinsurgency operations.
The impact of these suspensions on civil society is profound, according to Bader. She explained that, while Ethiopia’s civil space has long been restricted, the recent clampdown marks a significant setback. The government had initially opened up space for human rights organisations following Abiy Ahmed’s rise to power, but this has been reversed as the country has become increasingly repressive. The suspension of these three groups removes one of the last remaining independent monitoring mechanisms, leaving the transitional justice process, which is crucial for addressing the atrocities committed during the conflict, without oversight.
Bader further emphasised the implications for vulnerable communities, particularly those who rely on the services and advocacy provided by these organisations. She argued that the government's actions not only limit civil society’s ability to operate but also stifle efforts to bring peace and justice to affected regions.
The situation in Ethiopia mirrors broader trends across the Horn of Africa, where civic space has shrunk significantly in countries like Eritrea and Somalia. However, Bader stressed that Ethiopia's recent actions represent a regression, with the country once again becoming one of the most restrictive environments for journalists and civil society in the region.
Looking ahead, HRW is calling for stronger international condemnation of Ethiopia’s actions. Bader urged the African Union and international actors to prioritise the restoration of civil space in Ethiopia, especially as the country navigates its transitional justice process. Without independent voices to monitor and report on this process, the risk of further abuses remains high.
The international community, including organisations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, must also play an active role, Bader concluded. By supporting local organisations and monitoring the situation on the ground, they can help counter the Ethiopian government’s efforts to silence dissent and ensure accountability for ongoing human rights abuses.
--ChannelAfrica--
