Mr President,Allow me to extend the gratitude of Sweden to Ambassador Fisseha Yimer, Special Advisor to the Minister, for taking an active part in our dialogue. We appreciate the thorough presentation outlining both achievements and challenges facing Ethiopia today.
Sweden welcomes that Ethiopia is a party to ICCPR and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, both of which, as well as the Ethiopian Constitution, guarantee freedom of association and assembly. We thank the ambassador for addressing the concerns that have been raised regarding the recent CSO law, which imposes restrictions that will decrease the ability of human rights organizations and human rights defenders to operate in Ethiopia. Sweden would like to recommend the government (1) to take all necessary measures to ensure full respect for the rights of association and assembly, including with regard to the ability of non-governmental organizations to function, which would be in line with Ethiopia’s constitution and its’ international obligations.
Like others, we are also concerned about the recently passed Anti-Terror Proclamation. Due to its’ broad definition of terrorism, police are now allowed to carry out surveillance on communications and search a person’s body or property without a warrant. We thank the Ambassador for his earlier explanation of the right to be brought before a court of law within 24 hours. There are, however, reports saying that some persons taken into custody, have been held up to four months before being brought before a court.
Regarding the delegation’s explanation of the need for anti-terrorism legislation, Sweden recommends the government (2) to take further measures to ensure that any efforts to counter terrorism are carried out in full compliance with its human rights obligations, including the respect for due process, and freedom of expression and assembly.
Lastly, we appreciate all efforts by the government to improve the respect for HR, and hope it will also be applied to areas such as political prisoners, the continued use of the death penalty and the situation in the Somali region.Thank you, Mr President