The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged Ethiopian authorities to bolster press freedoms ahead of the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review (UPR). In a detailed report, CPJ highlighted the serious challenges faced by journalists in Ethiopia over the past five years. These include arbitrary arrests, physical attacks, and restrictive legal measures.
The report is a result of a comprehensive study over half a decade and outlines specific instances of violence against media professionals. Notably, it recalls the unresolved deaths of journalists Dawit Kebede Araya and Sisay Fida. A recurring issue identified by the report is the pattern of arbitrary detentions, particularly pronounced during the Tigray conflict from 2020 to 2022, where journalists were often held without charges or legal counsel. Some were held in places such as the notorious Awash Arba military camp, under harsh conditions.
The current legal framework, including the Media Proclamation and anti-terrorism laws, are still being used to curb media freedom despite recent reforms. The CPJ points to cases where journalists faced expulsion or media outlets got shut down under broad allegations tied to national security.
CPJ emphasizes that despite Ethiopia’s constitutional guarantees for free speech and fair trials, these legal stipulations are not adequately protecting journalists. Ethiopia, a signatory to major human rights agreements such as the African Charter on Human Rights, faces criticism from CPJ for its repressive media environment.
As Ethiopia approaches its UN review on November 12, 2024, CPJ’s findings are particularly pointed. The Universal Periodic Review provides a platform for examining overall human rights compliance, allowing states and NGOs to propose recommendations. This occasion marks a crucial opportunity for Ethiopia to reflect on and improve its press freedom policies, as noted by CPJ in their appeal for significant action from Ethiopian authorities.
The anticipated outcomes of the UPR process will be closely watched, with CPJ’s recommendations setting a clear agenda for enhancing journalists’ ability to operate without fear or restriction, reinforcing both national and international principles of the rule of law.
For further details, the original full report and its recommendations can be read here.