Ethiopia | Human Rights Watch

© 2008 Human Rights Watch

Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
In its battle against rebels in eastern Ethiopia's Somali Region, Ethiopia's army has subjected civilians to executions, torture, and rape. The widespread violence, part of a vicious counterinsurgency campaign that amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity, has contributed to a looming humanitarian crisis, threatening the survival of thousands of ethnic Somali nomads.

UK: Ethiopian ‘Assurances’ No Guarantee Against Torture

Sep 17, 2009
Somaliland: Fragile Democracy Under Threat

Jul 13, 2009
Ghana: Obama Visit Should Highlight Rights

Jul 8, 2009
Ethiopia: Amend Draft Terror Law

Jun 30, 2009

Reports

"Hostages to Peace"

Threats to Human Rights and Democracy in Somaliland
"Why Am I Still Here?"

The 2007 Horn of Africa Renditions and the Fate of Those Still Missing
Collective Punishment

War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity in the Ogaden area of Ethiopia’s Somali Region

Ethiopia

Daniel Bekele, Ethiopia - Recipient of the 2009 Alison Des Forges Award for Extraordinary Activism

Oct 1, 2009

In the ever-shrinking space for freedom of expression and association in Ethiopia, Daniel Bekele has faced heavy-handed government repression as a prominent anti-poverty activist and human rights lawyer. Daniel has dedicated his life to building a vibrant civil society and strengthening human rights in a country where freedom of expression and other fundamental rights are severely constricted.
UK: Ethiopian ‘Assurances’ No Guarantee Against Torture

Sep 17, 2009

The UK government should not rely on unreliable "diplomatic assurances" against torture to deport national security suspects to Ethiopia.
Letter to British Foreign Secretary Miliband on Diplomatic Assurances with Ethiopia

Sep 17, 2009

Human Rights Watch writes to Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Rt Hon David Miliband, on the consequences of the UK and Ethiopian governments signing the Memorandum of Understanding which would do little to curb acts of torture in Ethiopia.
African Civil Society Urges African States Parties to the Rome Statute to Reaffirm Their Commitment to the ICC

Jul 30, 2009

Recognizing our obligation to help protect human rights and uphold the rule of law, we, the undersigned civil society organizations, appeal to African ICC States Parties to reaffirm their support for the ICC and their commitment to abide by their obligations under the Rome Statute, particularly in relation to the arrest and transfer of the President of Sudan to the ICC.
Somaliland: Fragile Democracy Under Threat

Jul 13, 2009

The Somaliland government's disregard for the law and democratic processes threatens the territory's nascent democracy. The administration of President Dahir Riyale Kahin has committed human rights violations and generated a dangerous electoral crisis.
Ghana: Obama Visit Should Highlight Rights

Jul 8, 2009

United States President Barack Obama should use his visit to Ghana on July 10 and 11, 2009 to encourage its new president, John Atta Mills, to take a leadership position in Africa on issues of democracy and justice.
An Analysis of Ethiopia’s Draft Anti-Terrorism Law

Jun 30, 2009

This paper analyses Ethiopia’s draft Anti-Terrorism Proclamation (the draft Proclamation) and assesses to what extent the proposed law on its face conforms to international human rights standards. The draft law has been submitted to Parliament by the Council of Ministers and may be passed into law before the end of the current legislative session in July 2009.
Ethiopia: Amend Draft Terror Law

Jun 30, 2009

Ethiopia's draft counterterrorism law could punish political speech and peaceful protest as terrorist acts and encourage unfair trials if enacted. The government and members of parliament should amend the draft law, which may otherwise be imminently passed as-is by parliament, to meet international human rights standards.
EU should not tolerate Ethiopia's repression

Feb 18, 2009

The EU should have condemned one of world's worst laws on NGOs. Instead, it gave Ethiopia €250 million.
Letter to the European Union on their Disappointing Reaction to the Ethiopian NGO Law

Feb 10, 2009

Human Rights Watch writes to express profound disappointment with the European Union's January 30 Presidential Declaration responding to the Ethiopian government's adoption of the Charities and Societies Proclamation. The Ethiopian Charities and Societies Proclamation is a direct and deliberate attack on independent civil society activity and violates the fundamental rights to freedom of expression and association.