Challenges to the Ethiopian Human Right Commission in Promoting and Protecting Human Rights

Abstract

In Ethiopia, Human right commission is one of the NHRI which is voted by the Parliament through Proclamation No 210/2000 and was established in July 2000 as amended by procl. No 1224/2020 with the mandate of  promoting,  protecting and enforcing the human and democratic rights of citizens and peoples of Ethiopia as enshrined in the Constitution and other laws of the land, as well as the international human rights conventions and instruments adopted by Ethiopia, and ensure that citizens and peoples can claim these rights. It has great mandate of promoting and protecting human rights recognized by National constitution, Laws, International human rights instruments and Regional Human right instruments.However, different Ethiopian scholars and human right organizations argue that, Ethiopian Human Right is challenged to protect and promote Human rights due to different reason. The government has been severely criticized by the political opposition located inside and abroad, and by international human rights, in particular, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council (EHRCO), Amnesty International, UN Human rights commission and organs of private press.The reality practically seen in the country is also that, Ethiopian Human Right commission has not discharging its responsibility as aimed because of different challenges.  So, in this Article, different criticism brought against EHRC and the challenges to Ethiopian Human Rights commission will be assessed.

Keywords: Human rights, Commission, Ethiopia, Promoting, Protecting, Government

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/139-01

Publication date: January 31^st 2024