Soon to be Implemented, Ethiopia’s Civil Society Law is the Most Restrictive of its Kind in Sub-Saharan Africa; Law Draws Inspiration from Similarly Repressive Laws in Zimbabwe, Russia and Singapore
Chicago, Ill. – The Northwestern University School of Law’s Center for International Human Rights, in a report released today and available at northwestern.edu, has found that Ethiopia’s new Civil Society Law violates Ethiopia’s human rights obligations by effectively silencing independent civil society organizations, particularly human rights defenders and advocates of democratic governance that provide critical services to Ethiopia’s most vulnerable citizens.
The report, entitled Sounding the Horn: Ethiopia’s Civil Society Law Threatens Human Rights Defenders, concludes that the new CSO law violates Ethiopia’s human rights obligations as well as the Ethiopian Constitution and thus should be rescinded immediately. Upon implementation of the new law in January 2010, all foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will be prohibited from engaging in activities pertaining to human rights, women’s rights, children’s rights, disability rights, citizenship rights, conflict resolution or democratic governance. Even local NGOs that receive more than ten percent of their funding from foreign sources are considered “foreign” under this law. The report finds that: “Since the vast majority of domestic NGOs in Ethiopia receive the bulk of their funds from foreign sources, the new CSO law will force them to either close their doors or drastically alter the scope of their work.”
The Ethiopian government has long been hostile to human rights defenders. For decades the government has harassed civil society organizations and their leaders. In fact, the director of the Ethiopian Women Lawyers’ Association (EWLA) recently fled the country after the government retaliated against the EWLA for its description of the government’s human rights record.
Unless the Ethiopian government repeals the CSO law, it will be implemented one year after its enactment, on January 6, 2010. The report calls upon the Ethiopian government to rescind the law as soon as possible.
(The Center for International Human Rights is part of the Northwestern University School of Law’s Bluhm Legal Clinic. The Center provides a comprehensive range of classroom courses on the norms and mechanisms of international human rights law, international criminal law, and international humanitarian law, provides valuable clinical experiences for students interested in the protection of human rights on a global scale, and engages in research and other projects regarding emerging human right norms and related issues. Contacts: Sandra Babcock, [email protected]; Nicolas Martinez, [email protected])
The Addis Ababa-based weekly Awramba Times has more details on former President of Ethiopia Col. Mengistu Hailemariam’s soon-to-be-released book in its latest issue that came out today.
Quoting inside sources, Awramba writes that the book touches many unanswered questions and controversial issues, such as who killed Atse HaileSelassie, and the circumstances under which he left Ethiopia.
Awramba also reports about the political circus at Addis Ababa’s Imperial Hotel Saturday where Prof. Mesfin Woldemariam’s supporters forced the cancellation of UDJ’s general assembly meeting by blocking the entrance to the meeting hall. The general assembly was expected to elect former defense minister Seye Abraha and president Negasso Gidada to the party’s executive committee. Click here to read.
A general assembly meeting called today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by the opposition Unity for Democracy and Justice Party (UDJ) was canceled when supporters of Prof. Mesfin Woldemariam, who recently resigned from the leadership, blocked entrance to the meeting hall. Watch the video below:
JEDDAH (Arab News) — Prince Khaled ibn Sultan, Saudi Arabia’s Assistant Minister of Defense, announced that 75 Ethiopians and 70 Somalis were caught during military operations along the country’s southern borders.
He did not provide details about where and when the Ethiopians and Somalis were arrested but said they would be interrogated and added that the Kingdom deals with prisoners of war according to Islamic teachings.
Prince Khaled ibn Sultan also cast doubts on the veracity of news reports on several Yemeni websites that six wounded Saudi soldiers are currently undergoing medical treatment in Yemen.
“These reports are not confirmed. I do not think they are correct. We only consider authentic reports. The only true thing so far is that nine Saudi military men are missing. We have announced them by name and we cannot say where they are now,” he told reporters after a tour of the Saudi southern borders Saturday.
A number of Yemeni websites said Yemeni forces came across six wounded Saudi soldiers in Yemeni territory and took them to hospital for treatment. The Yemeni authorities have not confirmed or denied these reports.
“These reports have not been confirmed. I do not think they are truthful,” Prince Khaled said confirming that the Saudi forces are in complete control of the Al-Dood Mountain and its strategically important peak.
Asked when the purging operations would end, Prince Khaled said: “We are not in a hurry. The fighting situation is good. Our objective, set by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, is to minimize human losses and inflict maximum damage possible on the enemy.”
Prince Khaled on Sunday visited the injured Saudi soldiers at the Armed Forces Hospital in Jazan wishing them quick recovery and congratulating them on the Eid Al-Adha.
Former president of Ethiopia Mengistu Hailemariam writes a new book — a memoir — that is expected to be released in a few weeks.
Woyanne journalist and publisher Amare Aregawi is also releasing a new book soon, according to Tesfaye Gebreab. It would be interesting to read what he says about his arch nemesis Al Amoudi.
Mengistu’s books is a tell-all account of his 17 years of bloody rule, Ethiopian Review has learned. However, Tesfaye, in his report below, expresses doubt as to how much Mengistu will reveal. We will find out soon.
No matter what, it is a good thing that books and memoirs are being written by Ethiopians who have played a role in shaping the country’s history — whether their role was good or bad.
I recently met with Tesfaye Gebreab in Asmara where he is currently doing research for his new book. It happens that Woyanne has a lot of secrets burried in Eritrea. Tesfaye hopes to release his book, “Ye Derasiw Mastawesha,” in January 2010. If you think “Ye Gazetegnaw Mastawesha” was a shocker, wait until you read the new book. It lays bare some of Woyanne’s most closely guarded secrets. – Elias Kifle
Woyanne puppet and fake president of Ethiopia, Girma WoldeGiorgis, hosts a dinner party for Hailu Shawel, Lidetu Ayalew and other traitors and hodams at the Menelik palace.
It seemed from the video that Girma, the 400-pound fat pig, could not wait to finish his short speech and start stuffing his face with all the food piled on his table.
During the dinner, while sharing a bottle of Whiskey with Bereket Simon, Hailu Sheweden may have been dreaming about taking over Girma’s place as another fake president.
The photo above shows Hailu, Lidetu and Bereket sharing a table at the dinner, feasting on the blood of those innocent Ethiopians that Bereket and Meles slaughtered. Watch also a video of the reception at EthioTube.net (click here).
Former president of Ethiopia Mengistu Hailemariam writes a new book — a memoir — that is expected to be released in a few weeks.
Woyanne puppet and fake president of Ethiopia, Girma WoldeGiorgis, hosts a dinner party for Hailu Shawel, Lidetu Ayalew and other traitors and hodams at the Menelik palace.