Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned Ethiopia for suspending three rights organisations, accusing the government of “squeezing shut” the last remaining space for independent oversight as the country’s conflict situation worsens.
Since November 14, the government has ordered the suspension of the Center for the Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD), the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE), and Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR), accusing them of political bias and undermining national interests.
“Ethiopian authorities are squeezing shut whatever space remains for independent rights groups to operate in the country,” said Laetitia Bader, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch (HRW), in a statement late on Monday.
“The government’s latest assault shows that Ethiopia remains among the most inhospitable places to criticise government actions and promote human rights.”
HRW stated that the targeted groups, which claim political neutrality, were suspended shortly after they signed a public letter criticising proposed amendments to Ethiopia‘s media law.
The proposed law aims to bring the country’s media authority under the direct control of the prime minister’s office.
The Ethiopian government has previously suspended rights organisations, including international NGOs, for criticising its actions during the devastating 2020-22 war in the Tigray region, which resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths.
The Horn of Africa nation, home to around 120 million people, is still grappling with multiple conflicts, particularly in the populous regions of Amhara and Oromia, where federal forces are engaged in combat with armed militias.
“Concerned governments should not remain passive observers to Ethiopia’s deepening repression,” Bader said.
“Swift condemnation and concrete pressure by regional and international partners are needed to deter and reverse further oppression.”