Since November 14, 2024, the Ethiopian Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO), a government body that oversees civil society groups, has issued suspension letters to the Center for advancement democracy (CARD, Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE) and Lawyers of Human Rights (LHR), forcing the organizations to cease their work.
The letters alleged that the organizations were politically biased and engaged in activities that “undermined national interest.”
The organizations stated that the suspension has jeopardized their operations and long-term survival.
According to Moges Demssie, Director of CARD, the suspension has created significant problems. He noted that despite the monitoring team’s visit to CARD, no further action has been taken. “We’ve submitted repeated inquiries, including formal letters, but are still waiting for a response,” he said.
Ameha Mekonnen, Executive Director of LHR, described the bank account freeze as “illegal,” emphasizing that the suspension has left the organization unable to pay salaries to its 18 employees. He argued that, under the law, investigations into civil society organizations should not disrupt their daily operations or threaten their existence. “But that is exactly what is happening,” he said.
The three suspended organizations, which have been outspoken about governance, the rule of law, and rights abuses in Ethiopia, received the notices days after joining a public letter that criticized proposed amendments to the government’s media law. The amendments would roll back the institutional independence of the country’s media authority and bring it under the control of the Office of the Prime Minister.
Human Rights Watch recently urged the government to reverse the suspension, noting that the assault shows that Ethiopia remains among the most inhospitable places to criticize government actions and promote human rights.
The suspended organizations warned that prolonged inaction could lead to their closure.
MG/abj/APA