Analysis of ethiopias draft antiterrorism law human. I am pleased to be publishing it here, though the contents are anything but. File pedestrians walk past the federal high court building in addis ababa, ethiopia, nov. Obama has expressed keen interest in learning from ethiopias counterterrorism and counterinsurgency strategies. Pdf the scope of definition of a terrorist act under. On january 03, 2017, the federal high court 19the criminal. For years, the ethiopian government has been accused of using its antiterrorism law to crack down on internal political dissent. End use of counter terrorism law to persecute dissenters and opposition members 2 june 2016, 16. Now, bloggers and political activists worry freedom of.
May 31, 2016 for years, the ethiopian government has been accused of using its anti terrorism law to crack down on internal political dissent. In practice, however, ethiopian judges have leniently interpreted these requirements, giving them little or no consideration. 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. Amnesty international, human rights watch, committee to protect journalists cpj, all have openly criticized ethiopia for adopting the anti terrorism proclamation. The proclamation has been used by the regime to charge and imprison opposition party members, journalists and dissidents who criticise the regime or exercise their basic freedom of expression. End use of counterterrorism law to persecute dissenters and opposition members. 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. You taught me in dire dawa advance dipoloma batch when you were a freelance law teacher for you were a bank worker. Whereas, money laundering and the financing of terrorism as it not only threaten security, but also compromise the stability, transparency, soundness and efficiency of the financial system.
By sasahulh yalew, lecturer in law tigrai online, october 14, 20. 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 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. The provisions of the ethiopian criminal code and criminal procedure code may be applied in terrorism related cases. In july 2011, the government publicly dedicated the ahbash sect as the officially recognized traditional ethiopian islam 2011 proclamation. The law defines acts of terrorism as including damage to property and disruption to any public service, for which an individual could be. The right to privacy in the age of surveillance to counter. 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. Pdf the impact of ethiopias antiterrorism law on freedom of. Ahbashization has generated significant conflict between the ethiopian government and muslim communities. I am pleased to be publishing it here, though the contents are anything but pleasing.
Data privacy law and practice in ethiopia kinfe micheal yilma. Antiterrorism proclamation, federal negarit gazeta. Oakland, ca with human rights as the special focus of the 26th summit of the african union that gets underway today in ethiopia, the oakland institute and the environmental defender law center edlc released a new report, ethiopias antiterrorism law. 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. Pdf the impact of ethiopias antiterrorism law on freedom. In the course of deliberations over the law, some members of the ethiopian parliament, as well as human rights organizations, journalists. Data privacy law and practice in ethiopia international. The conclusions these critics have reached are both inescapable and correct. This paper analyses ethiopias draft antiterrorism proclamation the draft proclamation and assesses to what extent the proposed law on its. 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. It confirms that the law is designed and used by the ethiopian government as a tool of. Ethiopian legal information portal find laws, cases, legal.
The ethiopian government must end its escalating crackdown on human rights defenders, independent media, peaceful protesters as well as members and leaders of the political opposition through the antiterrorism proclamation atp says a group of civil society organisations csos. 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 s highly controversial anti terrorism law, proclamation no. We recently condemned the application of the antiterrorism proclamation. Ethiopian political parties position on the anti terrorism. The proclamation also extends aspects of the anti terrorism proclamation and the criminal code to electronic communications. An examination of ethiopias anti terrorism proclamation on.
A comparative analysis henok abebe gebeyehu abstract the antiterrorism proclamation of ethiopia has a farreaching effect on human rights, such as freedom of 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. Now, bloggers and political activists worry freedom of expression. While legitimate antiterrorism laws have been enacted in a number of countries, these critics of. The new law which 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 was developed to fill the gaps in the previous antiterrorism proclamation no. Even though the proclamation was intended to provide adequate legal. Ethiopian political parties position on the anti terrorism law addis ababa government spokesmen defend the law while opposition party leaders scoff at. The following article is by caelainn barr of the bureau of investigative journalism. Ethiopian federal high court convicted two swedish journalists on. A prominent ethiopian political opposition member sits in prison on charges of terrorism. Unhcr is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Dec 11, 2017 etenesh abera addis abeba, december 112017 the ethiopian federal supreme court has today reduced the jail terms of 20 defendants who were accused and sentenced to various years in jail after having been charged of terrorism related offenses. Amnesty international, human rights watch, committee to protect journalists cpj, all have openly criticized ethiopia for adopting the antiterrorism proclamation.
Ever since its promulgation in august 2009, ethiopias anti terrorism proclamation has been a subject of criticisms from western activists. Ethiopias antiterrorism proclamation and the right to freedom of expression. A mere order given by the head of the appropriate organcommissioner of the ethiopian ethics and anticorruption commissionsuffices to intercept private communications protected under article 26 of the. This diktat approved on a 28691 vote of the rubberstamp parliament is so arbitrary and. We recently condemned the application of the anti terrorism proclamation.
Assessing controversial issues of the ethiopian anti. 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. The provisions of this law that impact freedom of expression. Addis abeba, december 112017 the ethiopian federal supreme court has today reduced the jail terms of 20 defendants who were accused and sentenced to various years in jail after having been charged of terrorism related offenses on january 03, 2017, the federal high court 19the criminal bench has sentenced all but one of the defendants under the file name of the first. Analysis of ethiopias draft antiterrorism proclamation. 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. Ethiopian antiterrorism law archives ethiopian legal brief. The proclamation was adopted on 7 july 2009 and came into force upon its publication in the federal negarit gazeta of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia official gazette 15th year no.
Sep 29, 2011 the following article is by caelainn barr of the bureau of investigative journalism. Ethiopias antiterrorism proclamation and the right to. Time to repeal antiterrorism law in ethiopia global issues. Council of ministers approves antiterrorism law embassy. Cite as, national legislative bodies national authorities, ethiopia. Antiterrorism legislation further restricts ethiopian press. Ethiopia uses antiterror laws to silence critical journalists.
Pdf this article analyses the impact of ethiopias antiterrorism law on the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression and information. May 30, 2018 ethiopian government and opposition start talks on amending antiterrorism law. Duration of crime investigation quandary under ethiopian. The provisions of the ethiopian criminal code and criminal procedure code may be applied in terrorismrelated cases. 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. 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. Articles 5 and 63, ethiopian human rights commission establishment proclamation, federal negarit gazeta, proclamation no. 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.
Time to repeal antiterrorism law in ethiopia inter. Ethiopias highly controversial antiterrorism law, proclamation no. Andargachews ginbot 7 is among five groups the government had blacklisted under the antiterrorism legislation. 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. Anti terrorism proclamation 6522009 under article 20 declared that the court before which an arrested person is presented in accordance with article 19 of the proclamation, may give an order to remand the suspect for investigation or trial. Ethiopia recognized the right to freedom of expression. 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. Antiterrorism proclamation 6522009 under article 20 declared that the court before which an arrested person is presented in accordance with article 19 of the proclamation, may give an order to remand the suspect for investigation or trial. 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. Jan 20, 2011 a proclamation on anti terrorism proclamation no. Laws in ethiopia designed to prosecute terrorism are increasingly being used to silence political dissidents, opposition party members, journalists and others in civil society. Andargachews ginbot 7 is among five groups the government had. The antiterrorism proclamation of 2009 includes an overbroad and vague definition of terrorist acts and a.
Ethiopian government and opposition start talks on. Ethiopia end use of counterterrorism law to persecute. An analysis of ethiopias draft antiterrorism law human rights. Some points on the ethiopian antiterrorism law from human rights perspective. Ethiopian government and opposition start talks on amending antiterrorism law. The proclamation also extends aspects of the antiterrorism proclamation and the criminal code to electronic communications. Article 19 has extensive experience of working on freedom of expression and information issues in ethiopia. The european union delegation in ethiopia welcomed the dropping of legal charges and andargachews release. Ethiopian prime minister abiy ahmed has called for cancellation not just suspension of debt payments by developing countries to enable them redirect financial resources toward dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. The criminal code of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia 2004, art. 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.
Belayneh and five other defendants on under file name nigist yirga et al, were officially charged on january 20, 2017, for the offense of contravening articles 34 and 6 of the antiterrorism proclamation. An examination of ethiopias anti terrorism proclamation. 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 full text of the anti terrorism proclamation no. Aug 30, 20 ethiopias antiterrorism proclamation and the right to freedom of expression. Ethiopias ruling party says changes would not be made to the draconian antiterrorism proclamation atp, let alone scrapping the law altogether. This article analyses the impact of ethiopias antiterrorism law on the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression and information. Ethiopia to amend antiterror laws in political thaw. The ethiopian government used its sweeping antiterrorism legislation to arrest dozens of people, many of them journalists and opposition figures charged under provisions of the 2009 anti terrorism.
889 432 93 1495 1413 914 126 606 1457 1356 729 803 911 719 1266 591 496 541 282 1438 1015 673 780 1183 1092 1045 1437 422 228 1276 1382 1372 215 892 139 1145 749 1590 1545 103 805 1028 1372 337 53 1112 639 1425 1228 621 354