Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia

Scores killed across Ethiopia in recent demonstrations

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Press Release,

November 2, 2018

AHRE is concerned about recent killings of peaceful demonstrators in Alamata town, Northern Ethiopia, in Afar Regional State and in Gambella Regional State in September and October 2018. These incidents, though spread out in time and location all indicate a growing restriction on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and to freedom of expression. [Read more…]

Arbitrary Detention of Activists Signals Prevailing Rights Violations

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Press Release

21st October 2018

On October 16, 2018, Ethiopian police arrested and held in custody Henok Aklilu, a young attorney and known human rights defender, and his friend activist Michael Melak. They were brought before a judge in the Federal Criminal First Instance Court at Arada Criminal Bench the following day and accused of organising and inciting instability, opposing Addis Ababa’s administration, particularly the mayor and attending meetings and training sessions at the Embassy of the State of Palestine. This includes standing in solitary with Palestine and Palestinians.

The court has granted a seven day remand but the two were released on October 20, 2018. Michael Melak and Henok Aklilu were denied visits by friends and family and reported being subjected to mistreatment.

On the day of their court appearance, over one thousand youth from Addis Ababa were released. They had been rounded up between September 15 and 22 and taken to Tolay military camp for indoctrination and “retraining.”

The facts known publicly from sources and social media corroborate that there was indeed discussion to form an association. [Read more…]

AHRE Joint Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review 33rd Session of the UPR Working Group

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Here you can find full document in PDF: AHRE Joint UPR Submission on Ethiopia

 

  1. Introduction

 

  • CIVICUS is a global alliance of civil society organisations (CSOs) and activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society around the world. Founded in 1993, CIVICUS has members in more than 170 countries.

 

  • The Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE) is a non-governmental, non-partisan and not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the advancement of human rights in Ethiopia. AHRE is registered and based in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

  • The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is an independent, non-profit organisation that champions press freedom across the world. Founded in 1981, CPJ campaigns for the right of journalists to report the news without fear of reprisal.

 

  • DefendDefenders (The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project) is a regional CSO which seeks to strengthen the work of human rights defenders throughout the East and Horn of Africa.

 

  • PEN International is an international NGO founded in 1921 with PEN centres in over 100 countries. PEN works to defend freedom of expression and writers at risk around the world.

 

  • Article 19 was founded in 1987 and defends freedom of expression and information worldwide, including in 14 Eastern African countries through a Kenya-based office.

 

  • Consortium of Ethiopian Rights Organisations (CERO) is a consortium of five Ethiopian charities working on advocacy of human rights and democratic governance.

 

  • Access Now is an international organisation that works to defend and extend digital rights of users globally, including through its digital security helpline.

[Read more…]