In a statement released on Wednesday, the Ethiopian Human Rights Defenders Center (EHRDC) alleged that its leaders had faced “sustained harassment, surveillance, and intimidation” by government authorities, forcing them to leave the country to ensure their safety.
It noted, “the hostile environment has driven civic leaders out of the country,” highlighting signs of deteriorating civic space in the east African country.
EHRDC revealed that individuals such as Atnafu Birhane, program director at the Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD); Eden Fisseha, former director of the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE); and Dan Yirga, former director of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO), were among those who have left Ethiopia due to alleged harassment.
This statement comes in the wake of the Ethiopian Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) suspending three human rights organizations—AHRE, CARD, and the Ethiopian Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR)—on allegations of “lack of political neutrality” and “engaging against the national interest.”
Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, stated, “We condemn the suspension of AHRE, CARD, and LHR based on vague and unsubstantiated allegations. Such accusations have long been used by Ethiopian authorities as tools to suppress civil society organizations.”
In a statement released on November 26, 2024, Amnesty International condemned the suspensions, describing them as part of “a growing crackdown on civic space.” The organization criticized the allegations as “vague” and “unsubstantiated.”
Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Tigere Chagutah, stated, “We condemn the suspension of AHRE, CARD, and LHR based on vague and unsubstantiated allegations. Such accusations have long been used by Ethiopian authorities as tools to suppress civil society organizations.”
Chagutah called for the immediate reversal of the suspensions, emphasizing that they “violate the human rights to association and freedom of expression.” He further noted that the suspensions come amid escalating conflict and reported human rights violations in several regions, including Amhara, Oromia, and Tigray.
“Amid reports of escalating conflict, mass arbitrary detentions, and forced evictions, the role of civil society and media is more critical in Ethiopia than ever,” Chagutah added.
MG/abj/APA