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ETHIOPIA / ZEID WRAP
STORY: ETHIOPIA / ZEID WRAP
TRT: 02:30
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTION: PLEASE CREDIT OHCHR ON SCREEN
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 22 APRIL 2018, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA / 23 APRIL 2018, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA / 25 APRIL 2018, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA / 26 APRIL 2018, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
22 APRIL 2018, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
1. Wide shot, High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein walking up steps to National Museum of Ethiopia
2. Various shots, Zeid being shown various exhibits
26 APRIL 2018, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“I have to say I was much impressed by the way in which they articulated their optimism. The prime minister gave an inspiring speech in the national assembly. His inaugural speech, much of it conformed with what we in the Human Rights Community would like to hear so there was this optimism.”
23 APRIL 2018, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA
4. Various shots, Zeid and government person walking in to meeting room in Oromia
26 APRIL 2018, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“What this would mean is, our offices as reginal offices, for a long time was not given sort of access that needed to examine and to work with those partners, to exam the situation in Ethiopia and to work with the partners in Ethiopia. We can do that. It’s an expression of the willingness of Ethiopia to discuss the human rights issues with the UN human rights offices. And we are very pleased about that.”
23 APRIL 2018, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA
7. Wide shot, cars departing Oromia, pan to tree
8. Various shots, Oromia visits continued, meeting with different group
26 APRIL 2018, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“It’s unlikely in any transition for it to be smooth, there will always be bumps in the road, there might be setbacks. The important thing is that there seems to be dedication on the part of the leadership of the country to move in this direction and this is something that we support and welcome.”
25 APRIL 2018, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
10. Various shots, Zeid signing documents
26 APRIL 2018, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“They have been the victims of broken promises before, and so they are anxious. They are anxious to see all of the succeed and they were worried about there could be setbacks. So there is a sense of great anticipation but maybe trepidation as well. And so hope comes with a little anxiety.”
25 APRIL 2018, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
12. Various shots, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein meeting with Prime Minister
At the end of his official visit to Ethiopia, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said he heard clear expressions of optimism and hope that the new government would deliver on the heartening and inspiring speeches made during its first three weeks in office.
He said, “I have to say I was much impressed by the way in which they articulated their optimism. The Prime Minister gave an inspiring speech in the national assembly. His inaugural speech, much of it conformed with what we in the Human Rights Community would like to hear so there was this optimism.”
Zeid appreciated that the government invited him to visit twice during his term as High Commissioner, saying that it demonstrates real sincerity and is very encouraging indeed.
On Wednesday (25 Apr), the UN Human Rights Office for East Africa and the Ethiopian Government signed an agreement to strengthen the office’s ability to do human rights work in the country and the region.
The High Commissioner welcomed the government’s recognition of the important role OHCHR can play in helping advance the promotion and protection of human rights.
He said “what this would mean is, our offices as regional offices, for a long time was not given sort of access that needed to examine and to work with those partners, to exam the situation in Ethiopia and to work with the partners in Ethiopia. We can do that. It’s an expression of the willingness of Ethiopia to discuss the human rights issues with the UN human rights offices. And we are very pleased about that.”
The High Commissioner’s visit followed the country’s recent transition of power from the Government led by Hailemariam Desalegn, who abruptly resigned as prime minister in March, to the new one led by Abiy Ahmed.
Zeid said “it’s unlikely in any transition for it to be smooth, there will always be bumps in the road, there might be setbacks. The important thing is that there seems to be dedication on the part of the leadership of the country to move in this direction and this is something that we support and welcome.”
The Human Rights Commissioner also welcomed the release of a large number of people, including bloggers, political opponents and others who had been detained in relation to their participation in protests and their criticism of the government.
He noted that there was tremendous hope, but also anxiety.
Zeid said “they have been the victims of broken promises before, and so they are anxious. They are anxious to see all of the succeed and they were worried about there could be setbacks. So there is a sense of great anticipation but maybe trepidation as well. And so hope comes with a little anxiety.”
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