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ETHIOPIA / ZEID
STORY: ETHIOPIA / ZEID
TRT: 03:10
SOURCE: OHCHR
LANGUAGE: NATS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
DATELINE: 4 MAY 2017, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
1. Pan right, High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein shakes hands with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“The unrest which broke out in November 2015 and August 2016 reveals the need for continuing and carefully planned adjustments in policy, to build on and fully realise the country's impressive achievements. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has reported the extent to which the protests in Oromiyya and Amhara regions reflected public dissatisfaction with local governance, creating deep frustration on the part of many, and this was confirmed also to me by the leading officials of the state.”
3. Wide shot, Zeid with Prime Minister
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“That there may have been political manipulation of these frustrations is not for me to address. What was certain, however, was the evident anxiety of many ordinary people, as evidenced by the numbers. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission reported at least 669 people were killed from August 2016 to March 2017.”
5. Various shots, field visit
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“The extremely large number of arrests – over 26,000 – suggests it is unlikely rule of law guarantees have been observed in every case. I believe my staff ought to be given access to the affected areas, and I renew my request, so we can assess the situation and ascertain what further support can be given to the authorities, including justice officials.”
7. Various shots, field visit
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“During the course of my discussions I was told of legislation and policies which seemingly severely restrict rights to freedom of expression, information, association and peaceful assembly, as well as independent human rights monitoring. I am concerned about this series of crucial issues. The Charities and Societies Proclamation, Anti-Terrorism and Mass Media laws, for example, do not appear aligned with relevant international legal norms, and should be reformed.”
9. Wide shot, Zeid with Prime Minister
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“I am requesting the Government to consider, where possible, the release of a number of individuals whose arrest or conviction appears to have been motivated by fear of criticism rather than evidence of intent to spark violent overthrow. I encourage further ratifications of all international human rights treaties and protocols by Ethiopia, and also recommend the expert mandate holders of the UN Human Rights Council's Special Procedures be invited to contribute to the search for tailored solutions to the specificities of this country.”
11. Pan left, Zeid and Prime Minister walking
The UN Human Rights Chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein concluded a three-day visit to Ethiopia today (4 May), where he lauded development efforts in the country but also called for equal attention to all sets of rights.
Zeid said “the unrest which broke out in November 2015 and August 2016 reveals the need for continuing and carefully planned adjustments in policy, to build on and fully realise the country's impressive achievements.”
The Human Rights Chief raised human rights concerns in the country noting that economic and social and cultural rights are inseparable from civil and political rights.
On recent disturbances between two communities in the Amhara region, where close to 700 people died last year he said “that there may have been political manipulation of these frustrations is not for me to address. What was certain, however, was the evident anxiety of many ordinary people, as evidenced by the numbers.”
The High Commissioner said “the extremely large number of arrests – over 26,000 – suggests it is unlikely rule of law guarantees have been observed in every case. I believe my staff ought to be given access to the affected areas, and I renew my request, so we can assess the situation and ascertain what further support can be given to the authorities, including justice officials.”
He lauded the country’s free civic space at the same time raising caution about repressive laws that inhibit freedom of expression and the media, calling for legal reform.
He said “during the course of my discussions I was told of legislation and policies which seemingly severely restrict rights to freedom of expression, information, association and peaceful assembly, as well as independent human rights monitoring. I am concerned about this series of crucial issues. The Charities and Societies Proclamation, Anti-Terrorism and Mass Media laws, for example, do not appear aligned with relevant international legal norms, and should be reformed.”
Zeid made a number of recommendations to Ethiopian officials.
He said “I am requesting the Government to consider, where possible, the release of a number of individuals whose arrest or conviction appears to have been motivated by fear of criticism rather than evidence of intent to spark violent overthrow. I encourage further ratifications of all international human rights treaties and protocols by Ethiopia, and also recommend the expert mandate holders of the UN Human Rights Council's Special Procedures be invited to contribute to the search for tailored solutions to the specificities of this country.”
While in Ethiopia, the UN top human rights official signed a Memorandum of Intent with the Government to strengthen OHCHR Regional Office in Addis Ababa programmes on capacity building for stakeholders across the region, including Ethiopia.
During his mission, Mr. Zeid also met with Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and other senior African Union (AU) officials, with whom he discussed human rights priorities with the AU, as the regional bloc’s new leadership develops its vision and frameworks for impact across the continent.
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