Amnesty International has voiced strong opposition to proposed amendments to Ethiopia’s Civil Society Organization (CSO) law, warning that they could significantly curtail civic space in the country. The amendments, if enacted, would restructure the Civil Society Organization Board, granting the government more seats than non-governmental members. This shift is seen as a critical blow to human rights oversight, as it would undermine checks and balances fundamental to democratic governance.
The CSO Proclamation, introduced in 2019, had replaced a more restrictive law from 2009, providing greater freedom for civil society. However, Amnesty International believes the new draft would reverse these advances by bolstering government influence and oversight, making independence difficult to maintain.
A significant concern revolves around the draft’s financial stipulations. If passed, donors would be barred from funding national CSOs engaged in activities labeled as “political advocacy,” a term Amnesty International deems dangerously vague. This ambiguity could allow authorities to arbitrarily target non-profit organizations under the guise of political neutrality, effectively stifling dissent.
Further, if a CSO is considered a national security threat, the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO) could deny registration based on mere suspicion without needing substantial proof. This aspect of the proposal has raised fears of potential misuse to silence critical voices under national security pretenses.
The improvements seen with the 2019 reforms are further threatened by restrictions on financial autonomy. Permission from the authorities would be required for setting up bank accounts and approving loans, increasing governmental control over CSO operations.
The United Nations has reiterated the essential role that CSOs play in promoting democratic engagement and ensuring government accountability. However, there has been a concerning trend of increased pressure on civil society under the current administration, evidenced by recent criticisms and actions against human rights organizations, drawing attention from Human Rights Watch.
Laetitia Bader, deputy Africa director at Human Rights Watch, has remarked that the rollback of reforms reflects a regression to past repressive practices, signaling a worrying trajectory for Ethiopia’s civil society landscape. The legislative changes, if adopted, would likely discourage CSOs from carrying out their work due to fears of persecution.