Overview
This document, compiled by various civil society organizations, provides a summary of submissions made for Ethiopia’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) during the 47th session of the UPR Working Group. It highlights significant obstacles to justice and accountability in Ethiopia and offers key recommendations for the government.
Recommendations from Previous UPR Sessions
During its third UPR cycle, Ethiopia received 20 recommendations related to justice and accountability. The Ethiopian government supported 13 of these recommendations and noted seven others. However, many supported recommendations remain unimplemented, such as:
– Ensuring the independence of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, the Ombudsman, and the judiciary.
– Continuing efforts towards accountability for past atrocities.
– Strengthening institutional mechanisms for intercommunity reconciliation and supporting victims of atrocities.
Ongoing Abuses and Challenges
Despite the 2 November 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) formally ending conflict hostilities in the northern Tigray region, significant challenges persist:
– Continued Clashes and Human Rights Violations: Ongoing abuses, including extrajudicial executions, sexual violence, and ethnic cleansing, particularly in Tigray and Oromia regions.
– Lack of Adequate Framework: Ethiopia has not ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is crucial for prosecuting international crimes.
– Lack of Cooperation: The Ethiopian government has failed to cooperate with international and regional bodies, restricting access to independent journalists, human rights groups, and monitors.
Transitional Justice Policy
The current transitional justice policy, adopted in April 2024, prioritizes domestic accountability options, allowing the government to avoid international scrutiny. The policy lacks critical aspects to prevent the recurrence of atrocities and does not adequately reflect the needs of survivors.
Key Recommendations
1. Uphold International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law: End attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.
2. Ratify the Rome Statute of the ICC: Incorporate its provisions to investigate and prosecute mass atrocity crimes in national legislation.
3. Conduct Independent Investigations: Ensure perpetrators are brought to justice through transparent and impartial processes.
4. Expand Human Rights Monitoring: Particularly in Oromia and other under-monitored regions.
5. Cooperate with Human Rights Mechanisms: Fully engage with international, regional, and domestic human rights bodies.
6. Support Independent Documentation: Allow independent investigators and human rights groups to document human rights violations.
7. Provide Comprehensive Assistance to Victims: Ensure victims and survivors receive physical and psychological support and can participate in justice efforts.
Signatories
The document is endorsed by numerous organizations, including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, Physicians for Human Rights among 23 others