Ethiopia’s Civil Society Organizations Authority on Thursday announced the ban of two organizations known for their human rights work, the Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) and the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE).
In separate letters sent to the organizations, the authority said that it had suspended all their activities and frozen their bank accounts.
The authority said that the organizations were found to be operating outside their stated purposes and involving in political matters.
In response to the suspension, CARD released a public statement on November 22, 2024, vehemently contesting the allegations of political bias.
The organization criticized the authority for failing to adhere to proper legal procedures such as providing prior notice, conducting a transparent investigation, or involving CARD in the decision-making process.
CARD emphasized that it remains committed to its legal mandate and categorically denies engaging in any political activities. “We assert our unwavering commitment to transparency, impartiality and the democratic principles that define CARD’s mission,” the statement said.
CARD stated that it has temporarily refrained from public or legal action, prioritizing dialogue and a collaborative resolution.
“We are actively engaging with the authority and urging it to reverse the decision, address the concerns raised, clarify misunderstandings and resolve this matter collaboratively and amicably,” the statement added.
CARD’s suspension has drawn attention from national and international stakeholders, who are closely monitoring the situation. Advocacy groups have expressed solidarity with CARD and AHRE, calling on the Ethiopian Government to uphold civil society rights and freedoms.
MG/gik/APA