Federal authorities have revoked the licenses of two organizations focused on rights advocacy, namely the Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD) and the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE), as reported by The Reporter.
According to a statement from CARD released on Friday, the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) communicated its decision to suspend operations via a letter dated November 14, 2024. The director of CARD, Moges Demisse, chose not to provide any comments regarding the situation, and attempts to reach AHRE for their perspective were unsuccessful.
The ACSO has accused CARD of failing to maintain political neutrality and participating in activities deemed detrimental to national interests. In response, CARD has firmly denied these allegations, claiming that ACSO did not adhere to appropriate legal protocols, including the lack of prior notification concerning the suspension.
The organization highlighted the necessity of transparency in investigations and asserted that ACSO should have involved CARD in the proceedings. Nevertheless, CARD has adhered to the suspension order and halted its operations, focusing on constructive dialogue with the authorities.
CARD has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to its legal responsibilities and firmly denies any participation in political activities. The organization maintains a position of strict neutrality in both its methods and practices, as stated in their announcement.
Since obtaining its operational license in 2019 under the new civil society law, CARD has dedicated itself to advancing human rights and fostering democratization in Ethiopia. Throughout its existence, the organization has played a pivotal role in documenting human rights violations and atrocities within the country.
The statement emphasizes the organization’s commitment to promoting media freedom and digital rights, allowing both journalists and citizens to access information, express their views without restriction, and participate safely on digital platforms.
It conveyed a desire to collaborate with ACSO to overturn the recent decision, tackle existing concerns, clarify any misconceptions, and work together towards a resolution.
According to sources from the Ethiopian Civil Society Organization Council, they are actively observing the situation and engaging with both parties to find an amicable solution, noting that further comments are limited due to the ongoing nature of the case. Efforts to receive a response from ACSO representatives have not yielded results.
The information has been documented by Sisay Sahlu in The Reporter.