For the first time, the Civil Society Organizations Authority (CSOA) has publicly addressed the recent ban imposed on three organizations in Ethiopia, including the Center for Advancement of Rights and Democracy (CARD), Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR), and the Association for Human Rights in Ethiopia (AHRE). The announcement was made during a press release on November 28, 2024, coinciding with the celebration of Civil Society Organizations Week, which is being held for the fourth time.
In its statement, a representative from the CSOA explained that the organizations were banned due to violations of their mandates and actions deemed politically biased. “They have acted in a manner that is not politically neutral and have exceeded their mandate, carrying out activities harmful to the interests of the country and its people,” the officials said. The official indicated that a final decision regarding the bans would be made shortly.
The restrictions on these organizations were implemented following allegations of misconduct.
The CSOA’s decision to impose bans is grounded in Article 77 (4) of the Civil Society Proclamation No. M3/201, which allows for immediate sanctions against organizations that violate regulations. Letters detailing the bans were issued to the affected organizations, which have since responded by disputing the claims made against them.
In their statements, CARD, LHR, and AHRE asserted that the reasons given for their suspension were unfounded and did not adhere to legal procedures. They called for transparency and adherence to due process in such matters.
Fassikaw Molla, Deputy Director General of Civil Society Organizations, emphasized that warnings are not always necessary for violations. “We don’t have to give them a warning; the law allows us to act directly,” he stated. He further clarified that while minor offenses might warrant a warning, serious violations could lead to immediate action.
The CSOA has stated that monitoring efforts will intensify as part of their commitment to ensuring compliance within the sector. Fassikaw mentioned that investigations are ongoing regarding the three banned organizations and promised comprehensive information would be provided in due course.
Ahmed Hussein, Vice President of the Council of Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations (ECSOC), revealed that discussions have taken place between ECSOC leaders and representatives from the CSOA regarding these suspensions. He noted that efforts are ongoing to address concerns raised by civil society groups.
Amnesty International has also weighed in on the issue, condemning the bans as an escalation of civil society suppression. In a statement released on November 26, 2024, Amnesty described the allegations against these organizations as “blatant and unsubstantiated,” urging the federal government to reverse its decision promptly. The organization emphasized that such actions violate individuals’ rights to freedom of association and expression.
Despite these challenges, the Civil Society Organizations Authority is set to collaborate with ECSOC to host the fourth Ethiopian Civil Society Organizations Week from December 6 to 8, 2024, at Gion Hotel. The event aims to promote civil society contributions to economic and social services while strengthening cooperation between the private sector and civil society organizations.
