By framing the ethiopian antiterrorism proclamation of 2009 as an extension of the ruling partys neopatrimonial design, this article examines the laws draconian effects on freedom of speech in ethiopias digital sphere. The anti terrorism proclamation of ethiopia has a farreaching effect on human rights, such as freedom of expression. Ethiopian legal information portal find laws, cases. The law drew international condemnation for granting the government broad power to criminalize reporting that it claims supports or glorifies terrorist groups. May 30, 2018 ethiopian government and opposition start talks on amending antiterrorism law. Open request on ethiopia antiterrorism law, proclamation. New antiterrorism proclamation jeopardizes freedom. This practice raises serious concerns about the extent to which ethiopians can rely upon their constitutionally guaranteed rights to afford the protection that. Mar 15, 2020 a proclamation on antiterrorism proclamation no. On january 19, 2012, it convicted three ethiopian journalists, an opposition leader, and a fifth person under an antiterrorism law that violates free expression. The 20 edition of the human rights and democracy report of the government of the united kingdom uk severely criticized the government of ethiopia for its application of its anti terrorism proclamation and the charities and societies proclamation, which hampers the activity of the opposition camp of the country.
The report examines how the law, enacted in 2009, is a tool of repression, designed and used by the ethiopian government to silence its critics. Analysis of ethiopias draft antiterrorism proclamation march 9, 2009 summary this paper analyses ethiopias draft antiterrorism proclamation the draft proclamation and assesses to what extent the proposed law on its face conforms to international human rights standards. Ethiopia recognized the right to freedom of expression. This article analyses the impact of ethiopias antiterrorism law on the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression and information. Amnesty international, human rights watch, committee to protect journalists cpj, all have openly criticized ethiopia for adopting the antiterrorism proclamation. Some roles of the media are to hold elected officials are accountable, ensure elections are free, fair and. An analysis of ethiopias draft antiterrorism law human rights. An examination of ethiopias anti terrorism proclamation. Ethiopian antiterrorism law archives ethiopian legal brief.
Whosoever publishes or causes the publication of a statement that is likely to be understood by some or all of the members of the public to whom it is published as a. Terrorism by antiterrorism law lately, meles zenawi, the dictator in ethiopia, has been rounding up dissidents, journalists, opposition party political leaders and members under a diktat known as antiterrorism proclamation no. Antiterrorism legislation further restricts ethiopian press. Ethiopia stakeholder report for the united nations universal. Ethiopian political parties position on the anti terrorism. Several countries have adopted counter terrorism legal frameworks in the past two decades. The conclusions these critics have reached are both inescapable and correct. Ethiopian government and opposition start talks on. Wazema radio is an online radio founded by exiled ethiopian journalists in 2014. This violence in the name of delivering economic growth is built on the 2009 antiterrorism proclamation, which has allowed the ethiopian government. The most recent basis for punishment of journalists and media are the antiterrorism proclamation, the freedom of the mass media and access to information proclamation no. Definitions in this proclamation, unless the context otherwise requires.
Article 19 free word centre 60 farringdon road london ec1r 3ga united. An examination of ethiopias anti terrorism proclamation on. May 31, 2016 for years, the ethiopian government has been accused of using its anti terrorism law to crack down on internal political dissent. Freedom of expression and the ethiopian antiterrorism. The provisions of this law that impact freedom of expression are discussed in this article. Ethiopias antiterrorism proclamation and the right to freedom of expression.
Social sciences, general antiterrorism measures laws, regulations and rules public opinion social aspects economic development political aspects political protest remedies war and emergency. In principle, the anti terrorism proclamation and the existing criminal code have high requirements for government prosecutors to prove intent in charges against the press, according to legal experts and cpj analysis. The 2009 charities and societies proclamation as a. International and regional reaction to the human rights situation. Pdf this article analyses the impact of ethiopias antiterrorism law on the. The anti terrorism law was appeared under such interacting, contradicting and. The law drew international condemnation for granting the government.
Jan 20, 2011 a proclamation on anti terrorism proclamation no. The use of ethiopias antiterrorism proclamation to arbitrarily arrest journalists is completely out of step with reforms witnessed in the country, said seif magango, amnesty internationals deputy director for east africa, the horn and the great lakes. He said the ethiopian law was enacted in 2009 as an anti. Analysis of ethiopias draft antiterrorism law human. Introduction country overview the federal democratic republic of ethiopia ethiopia is located in the horn of africa and shares. The detainees had been charged with crimes under the antiterrorism proclamation and. Council of ministers approves antiterrorism law embassy. The australian anti terrorism law, one of the legislation said to have been used as a basis for the ethiopian anti terrorism proclamation, incorporates a. Time to repeal antiterrorism law in ethiopia inter. Council arise to reform antiterrorism, media law ethiopia. Open request on ethiopia antiterrorism law, proclamation 652. Oct 16, 2019 the use of ethiopias antiterrorism proclamation to arbitrarily arrest journalists is completely out of step with reforms witnessed in the country, said seif magango, amnesty internationals deputy director for east africa, the horn and the great lakes.
Ethiopias highly controversial antiterrorism law, proclamation no. Proclamation no 4332005 the revised proclamation for the establishment of the federal ethics and anticorruption commission whereas, the government and the peoples of ethiopia recognize that corruption and impropriety are capable of hindering the social, economic and political development of any country. Whereas, terrorism is a danger to the peace, security and development of the country and a serious threat to the peace and security of the world at. Pdf the impact of ethiopias antiterrorism law on freedom of. The antiterrorism proclamation of ethiopia has a farreaching effect on human rights, such as freedom of expression. Open request on ethiopia antiterrorism law, proclamation 6522009 united nations secretary general, his excellency ban kimoon.
A tool to stifle dissent, authored by lawyers from leading international law firms, provides an indepth and damning analysis of ethiopias antiterrorism proclamation. The council of ministers in its 68th regular session held on may 18, 2019, approved the antiterrorism draft law developed to prevent and control terrorism. The government then made a bleak situation worse through the enactment of a draconian antiterrorism proclamation despite international condemnation, the government has not hesitated to deploy it to stifle. The antiterrorism proclamation, 2009 of ethiopia defines terrorism very broadly in its article 3 and in article 6 defines encouragement to terrorism as. Legality, political significance of parties removal from terrorists list. The only situation in which the ethiopian government is responsible to compensate victims of human rights violation and crime is where terrorism establishment fund established as pursuant to article 34 of the antiterrorism proclamation no. Sep 03, 20 ethiopian political parties position on the anti terrorism law addis ababa government spokesmen defend the law while opposition party leaders scoff at the law as the ruling partys legal. Proclamation on anti terrorism, published in the federal negarit gazeta of the federal republic of ethiopia on 28 august 2009 proclamation against international standards on freedom of expression.
And such fund is not yet established by the council of ministers. From march 2011 to december 2011 at least 108 opposition party members and six journalists were arrested in ethiopia for alleged involvement with various proscribed terrorist groups. Pdf the purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the oau convention in preventing and combating terrorism. Whereas, the right of the people to live in peace, freedom and security has to be protected, at all times, from the threat of terrorism. The ethiopian government used its sweeping antiterrorism legislation to arrest dozens of people, many of them journalists and opposition figures charged. This paper analyses ethiopias draft antiterrorism proclamation the draft.
It confirms that the law is designed and used by the ethiopian government as a tool of. Terrorism by anti terrorism law lately, meles zenawi, the dictator in ethiopia, has been rounding up dissidents, journalists, opposition party political leaders and members under a diktat known as antiterrorism proclamation no. In principle, the antiterrorism proclamation and the existing criminal code have high requirements for government prosecutors to prove intent in charges against the press, according to legal experts and cpj analysis. Council of ministers approves antiterrorism law embassy of. Ethiopia s highly controversial anti terrorism law, proclamation no. Comment on ethiopian antiterrorism proclamation article 19, london, 2010 law201003ethiopia 1 about the article 19 law programme the article 19 law programme advocates for the development of progressive standards on freedom of expression and access to information at the international level, and their. This paper analyses ethiopias draft anti terrorism proclamation the draft proclamation and assesses to what extent the proposed law on its face conforms to international human rights. On wednesday 17 july 20, members of the european parliaments subcommittee on human rights visited ethiopia and urged the government to release journalists and opposition activists imprisoned under the countrys antiterrorism proclamation no. Ethiopia also promulgated the antiterrorism proclamation in 2009, which also restricts.
This text may be used free of charge for the purposes of advocacy, campaigning, education, and research. Ethiopian government and opposition start talks on amending. Pdf the impact of ethiopias antiterrorism law on freedom. In 2009, the ethiopian parliament passed the antiterrorism proclamation. Statement provided by state department the united states remains deeply concerned about the trial, conviction, and sentencing of ethiopian journalist eskinder nega, as well as seven political opposition figures, under the countrys antiterrorism proclamation. In practice, however, ethiopian judges have leniently interpreted these requirements, giving them little or no consideration. Antiterrorism legislation further restricts ethiopian. On wednesday 17 july 20, members of the european parliaments subcommittee on human rights visited ethiopia and urged the government to release journalists and opposition activists imprisoned under the countrys anti terrorism proclamation no. Jun 27, 2012 nairobi ethiopian high court on june 27, 2012, convicted 24 journalists, political opposition leaders, and others under ethiopias deeply flawed antiterrorism law, human rights watch said. The new law was drafted by the federal attorney general office of ethiopia to protect the peace and security of the people and the government from the threats of terrorism.
Whereas, terrorism is a danger to the peace, security and development of the country and a serious threat to the peace and security of the world at large. On wednesday 17 july 20, members of the european parliaments subcommittee on human rights visited ethiopia and urged the government to release journalists and opposition activists imprisoned under the countrys anti. This paper analyses ethiopias draft antiterrorism proclamation the draft proclamation and assesses to what extent the proposed law on its face conforms to international human rights standards. This text may be used free of charge for the purposes of advocacy, campaigning, education, and research, provided. The impact of ethiopias antiterrorism law on freedom of expression conference paper pdf available in ssrn electronic journal may 2017 with 4,203 reads how we measure reads. Cite as, national legislative bodies national authorities, ethiopia. Analysis of ethiopias draft antiterrorism proclamation. The law defines acts of terrorism as including damage to property and disruption to any public service, for which an individual could be. Time to repeal antiterrorism law in ethiopia inter press. The government used the law to force the closure of the independent addis neger in late 2009, dealing a serious blow to key independent voices in the. Even though the proclamation was intended to provide adequate legal.
The 20 edition of the human rights and democracy report of the government of the united kingdom uk severely criticized the government of ethiopia for its application of its antiterrorism proclamation and the charities and societies proclamation, which hampers the activity of the opposition camp of the country. The paper assesses ethiopias antiterrorism proclamation and argues that, not only is the definition of terrorism problematic, but also the implementation of the law continues from the weak ends of the law, and makes the ethiopian situation rife for the violation of the right of thought, opinion and expression. This diktat approved on a 28691 vote of the rubberstamp parliament is so arbitrary and capricious that human rights watch. Ahbashization has generated significant conflict between the ethiopian government and muslim communities. Wazema radio, mapping the ethiopian media, may 2018. Based on earlier drafts of the law previously made available to amnesty international, acts of terrorism are vaguely defined and could encompass the legitimate expression of political dissent.
For years, the ethiopian government has been accused of using its antiterrorism law to crack down on internal political dissent. The law gives leeway to criminalize innocent acts of individuals who are critical of government policies. This proclamation may be cited as the anti terrorism proclamation no. Comment on ethiopian antiterrorism proclamation article 19, london. Ethiopian government and opposition start talks on amending antiterrorism law. A prominent ethiopian political opposition member sits in prison on charges of terrorism. May 21, 2019 the council of ministers in its 68th regular session held on may 18, 2019, approved the anti terrorism draft law developed to prevent and control terrorism. The 2009 ethiopian charities and societies proclamation places excessive restrictions on the. Ethiopias antiterrorism proclamation and the right to. Now, bloggers and political activists worry freedom of expression. The identity of those suspected for terrorism and arrested based on the law also gave this institutions a reason to take ethiopia a regular destination for their condemnations. The criminal code of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia 2004, art. The government then made a bleak situation worse through the enactment of a draconian antiterrorism proclamation despite international condemnation, the government has not hesitated to deploy it to stifle popular publications.
Article 19 comments on anti terrorism proclamation article 19 today issues its analysis of the ethiopian anti terrorism proclamation 2009 and calls for the government to fully recognise the right to freedom of expression under international and regional human rights law. Ethiopia enacted proclamation 6522009 antiterror statute, in august 2009, to. The conformity of ethiopian anti terrorism proclamation with the oau convention. Ethiopian herald stateowned, the daily monitor private. Andargachews ginbot 7 is among five groups the government had blacklisted under the antiterrorism legislation. Aug 30, 20 ethiopias antiterrorism proclamation and the right to freedom of expression. This diktat approved on a 28691 vote of the rubberstamp parliament is so arbitrary and.
In july 2011, the government publicly dedicated the ahbash sect as the officially recognized traditional ethiopian islam 2011 proclamation. A tool to stifle dissent, by the oakland institute and the environmental defender law center, authored by lawyers including representatives from leading international law firms, unravels the 2009 proclamation. Nairobi ethiopian high court on june 27, 2012, convicted 24 journalists, political opposition leaders, and others under ethiopias deeply flawed antiterrorism law, human rights watch. Article 19 comments on anti terrorism proclamation article 19 today issues its analysis of the ethiopian antiterrorism proclamation 2009 and calls for the government to fully recognise the right to freedom of expression under international and regional human rights law. The detainees had been charged with crimes under the anti terrorism proclamation and the criminal code. Ethiopia also promulgated the antiterrorism proclamation in 2009, which also restricts ethiopians ability to criticise their government, and limits the level of scrutiny and oversight to which the government is subjected. Consistent with global trends in response to acts of terrorism, the ethiopian government adopted a counterterrorism legislation in 2009. The ethiopian government has used the anti terrorism proclamation to jail journalists and opposition party members for peacefully exercising their freedoms of expression and association. Ethiopian government for having a counter terrorism law in order to safeguarding the citizens security. Sixteen years after the birth of free press in ethiopia, tolerance to different views is still in its early stages, and lags far behind other countries. It criminalizes indirect encouragement to the preparation. The antiterrorism law makes the criminal code applicable only to the extent that the code is consistent with the antiterrorism law provisions antiterrorism proclamation, 36, supra. This paper analyses ethiopia s draft antiterrorism proclamation the draft proclamation and assesses to what extent the proposed law on its face conforms to international human rights standards.