HRW criticises Ethiopia suspension of rights groups

NAIROBI - Human Rights Watch has criticised Ethiopia for suspending three rights NGOs, accusing them of "squeezing shut" the last remaining space for independent oversight at a time of worsening conflict.

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 harming 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 said that the groups, which insist they are politically neutral, were targeted shortly after they signed a public letter criticising proposed amendments to Ethiopia's media law.

The amended law aims to bring the country's media authority under the direct control of the prime minister's office.

The government has previously suspended rights groups, including international NGOs, for criticising its conduct in the devastating 2020-22 war in the Tigray region that killed hundreds of thousands of people.

The Horn of Africa country of around 120 million people is still facing multiple conflicts, particularly in the most populous regions of Amhara and Oromia, where federal forces are fighting 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."