Document #1072281
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
Until 1975 the Ethiopian Orthodox Church
was the established church of Ethiopia and was virtually synonymous
with the state, where participation of the higher clergy in the
councils of government was practised. [George Thomas Kurian,
Encyclopedia of the Third World, vol.1., (New York: Facts On
File, Inc., 1987), p.593.] Although the Ethiopian Orthodox Church
was stripped of its temporal power, it still continued to flourish.
[Kurian, 1987, p.595.] In a continuing effort to de-emphasize the
presence and importance of religion, several restrictions have been
placed on the Orthodox churches. [Kurian, 1982, p.668.]
The state of affairs in Ethiopia since 1975
was such that human rights were given a low value, because the
government had suppressed revolts of minorities, Marxist and
non-Marxist groups. [ibid.] Remarks considered critical of the
government, failure to attend mandatory political or Kebelle
meetings and suspicion of association or sympathy with
organizations opposed to the government have all been reasons for
arbitrary arrest and detention. [ Ibid.] As there is no
official accountability, many Ethiopians have disappeared; arrested
and held without any legal process or notice to the public or their
families. [ Ibid.]
Although the 1989 U.S. State Department
reports that Ethiopian government policy
"no longer ignores or tries to suppress religion", the report
continues to state that government officials are prohibited from
worshipping and that kebelle officials reportedly discourage church
attendance by scheduling mandatory meetings on Sunday mornings. [
U.S. State Department, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
for 1989, (Washington: U.S. Government Printers, 1990), p.116.]
The same source reports that the Ethiopian government expunges
reference to any deity from official statements and publications.
[ibid.]
The changing religious situation as
reported by the above source states that there is increased
government respect for freedom of worship and proselytizing for
members of the Ethiopian Coptic Orthodox Church and the Islam
faith. [ibid.]
For further information on the Coptic
Church, please see the attached excerpts from:
George T. Kurian, Encyclopedia of the
Third World, Revised Edition, vol. I. New York: Facts On File,
Inc., 1982, pp.593-594.
U.S. State Department, Country Reports
on Human Rights Practices for 1989, Washington: U.S. Government
Printing Office, 1990, pp.116-117.