Press Release

21^st 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…]

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…]

Press Statement

17 September 2018

 

The Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE) condemns the violent and brutal attacks against innocent residents of Addis Ababa and the neighboring town of Burayu. On September 15, 2018, ethnic Oromo and Addis Ababa youths were involved in violent clashes over the choice of flags in different parts of the capital, including Piazza and Kuasmeda.

The Oromia Region Police Commissioner announced today that 23 people were killed during clashes since Friday. Federal Police also reported today that at least 600 people who were involved in the violence have been arrested. Police also confirmed that five more people were killed today, September 17 during clashes between security forces and protestors in Addis Ababa who were marching in protest of the killings and violence of the prior two days.

The clashes began on September 14, 2018 during preparations for the welcoming celebration for the delegation of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), an armed group based in Eritrea for more than 20 years. The OLF which until recently was on the government’s terrorist list, returned to Ethiopia as a result of negotiations undertaken by the new administration as part of the ongoing political reform taking place in the country. [Read more…]