Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board du Canada, Ottawa

1. 2016-2017 State of Emergency

According to sources, on 9 October 2016, the Ethiopian government declared a state of emergency (Human Rights Watch 11 Oct. 2016; Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2017, 156). Sources report that during the preceding year, there were protests in the Oromia [Oromiya] region (Human Rights Watch 11 Oct. 2016; Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2017, 156; Freedom House 2017) and, since mid-2016, in Amhara region (Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2017, 156; Freedom House 2017). Sources report that the government responded to the protests with “lethal” force (Human Rights Watch 11 Oct. 2016; Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2017, 156). Human Rights Watch indicates that during the state of emergency, there were “mass arrests, mistreatment in detention, and unreasonable limitations on freedom of assembly, expression, and association” (Human Rights Watch 18 Jan. 2018, 1). Likewise, in its annual report covering the events of 2017, Amnesty International states that “[r]eports of torture and other ill-treatment, unfair trials and violations of the rights to freedom of expression and of association continued” (Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2018, 162).

In a report published on 28 May 2017, Human Rights Council (HRCO) Ethiopia, an Ethiopian NGO formed in 1991 which, among other activities, “conducts human rights monitoring” (HRCO n.d.), indicates that during the state of emergency, the Blue Party reported the detention of 15 of its members, while the OFC stated that 102 of its members were arrested (HRCO 28 May 2017, 9). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. Without providing further details on the affected detainees, the HRCO report further states that, according to reports by victims, “detainees were subjected to torture and other forms of degrading and inhuman treatment, including beatings, denial of access to food and harsh physical exercise such as walking barefoot on gravel roads under adverse weather conditions” (HRCO 28 May 2017, 10). Likewise, according to the US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017, prisoners were subjected to beatings and electric shocks by interrogators aiming to obtain information and confessions and, in Maekelawi [1], the “federal crime investigation center in Addis Ababa,” “physical and psychological abuse” were used by police investigators (US 20 Apr. 2018, 3).

Sources report the arrest, on 30 November 2016, of Merera [Merara] Gudina, chairman of the OFC, upon his return from travel in Europe, where he delivered a speech at the European Parliament (Addis Standard 30 Dec. 2017; Sudan Tribune 3 Dec. 2016). According to sources, he was accused of meeting in Brussels with a member of a group considered by the Ethiopian government to be a “terrorist” organization, an act that was prohibited during the state of emergency (Capital 2 Jan. 2017; Sudan Tribune 3 Dec. 2016). Information on the group’s name could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to a “US-based Ethiopian activist” quoted by the BBC, Merera Gudina was “'badly beaten' and 'sustained [a] broken hand'” (BBC 6 Dec. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Sources report that, on 25 May 2017, Yonatan Tesfaye, former spokesperson for the Blue Party, was sentenced to imprisonment for 6 a half years after being found guilty of “encouraging terrorism” (Al Jazeera 26 May 2017; Africanews 25 May 2017) or [translation] “inciting terrorism” (Jeune Afrique with AFP 26 May 2017). Sources indicate that Tesfaye was arrested in December 2015 after accusing the government of using “disproportionate force against demonstrators” (Al Jazeera 26 May 2017) or of using [translation] “'force against the population instead of peaceful dialogue'” (Jeune Afrique with AFP 26 May 2017). Other sources note that he was arrested after he criticized the government on Facebook (Africanews 5 Mar. 2018; Ethiopia Observer 5 Mar. 2018). Sources indicate that the government ended the state of emergency in August 2017 (Human Rights Watch 18 Jan. 2018, 1; Al Jazeera 5 Aug. 2017).

2. Early 2018 Freeing of Political Prisoners and Prime Minister's Resignation

Sources indicate that in January 2018, the authorities began to free political prisoners, including Merera Gudina (DW 17 Jan. 2018; AP 17 Jan. 2018; Mail & Guardian 17 Jan. 2018). Sources report that in February 2018, after a strike aimed at the release of political prisoners, in the Oromia region [and in parts of the Amhara region (DW 14 Feb. 2018)], the Ethiopian government released political prisoners (DW 14 Feb. 2018; The Washington Post 15 Feb. 2018). According to Amnesty International, 10,000 people who had been “arbitrarily detained” under the 2016-2017 state of emergency were released in February 2018 (Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2018, 162). Sources indicate that Bekele Gerba [secretary general (Reuters 13 Feb. 2018)] of the OFC was among the freed prisoners (DW 14 Feb. 2018; Reuters 13 Feb. 2018). According to sources, following the strikes, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, stepped down on 15 February 2018 (Reuters 15 Feb. 2018; The Washington Post 15 Feb. 2018).

3. 2018 State of Emergency

Sources reports that on 16 February 2018, following the Prime Minister's resignation, a state of emergency was imposed by the Ethiopian government (DW 17 Feb. 2018; BBC 16 Feb. 2018; Reuters 17 Feb. 2018). Sources state that during the state of emergency, a ban on protests and publications inciting “'discord'” (Reuters 17 Feb. 2018) or “violence” was implemented (DW 17 Feb. 2018).

According to sources, on 10 March 2018, Ethiopian security forces shot at people in the town of Moyale, near the border with Kenya, killing 10 and injuring 11 or 15 others (Amnesty International 28 Mar. 2018; VOA 12 Mar. 2018). The same sources indicate that the Ethiopian government stated that the attack was a “mistake” due to incorrect information on possible activity by the OFL (Amnesty International 28 Mar. 2018; VOA 12 Mar. 2018). Further information on the incident could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

A report on the political situation and the treatment of the opposition in Ethiopia, published in September 2018 by the Danish Immigration Service, and based on interviews conducted in Ethiopia in May 2018, states that, according to “the majority of the interlocutors” interviewed, the state of emergency imposed in February 2018 was “implemented with a 'softer hand'” than the previous [2016-2017] state of emergency (Denmark Sept. 2018, para. 2.2). The same report indicates that, according to the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) [2], during the three weeks between the resignation of Hailemariam Desalegn and the designation of Abiy Ahmed as Prime Minister, “no major security incidents” were reported (Denmark Sept. 2018, para. 119). The report also states that, according to representatives from the DRC and from an international NGO, in some instances, the authorities responded to protesters by “'show[ing] force'” (Denmark Sept. 2018, para. 2.2). Similarly, in a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, a Human Rights Watch senior researcher who works on Ethiopia indicated that the human rights situation during the state of emergency that began in February 2018 was “better” than the 2016-2017 state of emergency (Senior Researcher 6 Dec. 2018). The source explained that, while there were still arrests, “arbitrary” detentions and “torture,” these were less “blatant” than in 2016-2017 (Senior Researcher 6 Dec. 2018).

The news service Africanews reports that, in February 2018, federal forces arrested and detained “top Oromo opposition leaders belonging to” the OFC (Africanews 24 Feb. 2018). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to sources, in March 2018, Yonatan Tesfaye was released from prison (Africanews 5 Mar. 2018; Ethiopia Observer 5 Mar. 2018).

4. Reforms by the New Prime Minister

Sources report that in early April 2018, the Ethiopian parliament confirmed Abiy Ahmed as the new prime minister, a week after he was chosen as the new chairman of the ruling coalition in Ethiopia [Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF)] (VOA 2 Apr. 2018; Al Jazeera 2 Apr. 2018). According to Ahmed Soliman, a research fellow working on the Horn of Africa at Chatham House [3], upon taking office, Abiy Ahmed's government has undertaken several changes, including the closing of the Maekelawi prison, the restoration of mobile Internet in the regions, the release of “thousands of political prisoners,” permitting opposition leaders to travel, and including opposition leaders “in discussions about reforms” (Soliman 27 Apr. 2018). Similarly, The Guardian reports that the new prime minister has

fired a series of controversial and hitherto untouchable civil servants, reached out to hostile neighbours and rivals, lifted bans on websites and other media, freed thousands of political prisoners, [and] ordered the partial privatisation of massive state-owned companies. (The Guardian 8 July 2018)

Sources report that, on 5 June 2018, the Ethiopian government lifted the February 2018 state of emergency, two months earlier than planned (Reuters 5 June 2018; AP 5 June 2018). The Danish Immigration Service cites a diplomatic source at the British Embassy as indicating that the lifting of the state of emergency did not have “any clear impact (neither negative nor positive) on the current human rights situation, including for members of the opposition” (Denmark Sept. 2018, para. 3.1.1). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

5. Release of Political Prisoners and Amnesty

The Danish Immigration Service report indicates that, according to the “majority of the interlocuters” [interviewed in May 2018 in order to prepare the report], at least several thousand people who were “arbitrarily detained” had been released since Abyi Ahmed became prime minister (Denmark Sept. 2018, para. 4.1).

Reuters reported on 20 July 2018 that the Ethiopian government passed a law that grants amnesty to recently freed political prisoners (Reuters 20 July 2018). The same source quote the state-affiliated news agency, Fana, as reporting that individuals or groups who were either under investigation or convicted for “'treason, crimes against the constitutional order and armed struggle',” are granted amnesty under this law (Reuters 20 July 2018). Likewise, the Addis Standard, a monthly Ethiopian English-language magazine, indicates that, on 28 June 2018, the Ethiopian parliament made into law “a proposed amnesty bill” allowing “legal amnesty provisions for individuals facing criminal or terrorism charges” or who were “convicted of alleged offenses such as outrage against the constitution and terrorism” (Addis Standard 28 June 2018). According to a researcher cited in the Danish Immigration Service report, the amnesty bill passed by the parliament “annuls the charges against all individuals, at home and abroad,” except for charges of murder and rape (Denmark Sept. 2018, para. 4.2).

Sources report that on 5 July 2018, the Ethiopian parliament voted to remove the following groups from the country's list of “terrorist” organizations: the OLF, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), and Ginbot 7 (Reuters 5 July 2018; The Reporter 7 July 2018a; Al Jazeera 5 July 2018).

6. Return of Political Exiles and Violence in September 2018

According to sources, exiled political leader[s] of the OLF returned to Ethiopia in September 2018 (Al Jazeera 15 Sept. 2018; Reuters 15 Sept. 2018). Sources also report that on 15 September 2018, OLF “fighters” returned to Ethiopia from Eritrea (AP 15 Sept. 2018; Al Jazeera 15 Sept. 2018). Reuters further indicates that the return of exiled political leaders follows the signature of an agreement between the OLF and the Ethiopian government “to end hostilities” (Reuters 15 Sept. 2018). The website of the Eritrean Ministry of Information indicates that an agreement to end “hostilities” was signed between the OLF and the Ethiopian government on 7 August 2018 in Asmara (Eritrea 7 Aug. 2018).

Sources report that during the weekend following the OLF leaders' return, there were violent events targeting minorities in the Oromia region, killing 20 to 28 people (Reuters 17 Sept. 2018; The New York Times 24 Sept. 2018; BBC 25 Sept. 2018) and causing damage to property belonging to members of ethnic minorities (Reuters 17 Sept. 2018). According to sources, 1,200 people were detained in connection to these events and sent to a military camp for “'rehabilitation'” (The New York Times 24 Sept. 2018; BBC 25 Sept. 2018). However, The New York Times reports that “many of those arrested” were not reportedly connected to the “ethnic violence,” adding that “many” of these arrests occurred during raids in bars, clubs and “other gathering spots” in Addis Ababa (The New York Times 24 Sept. 2018). According to the Human Rights Watch Senior Researcher, those who were sent to “re-educat[ion]” camps following the violence in September were not necessarily sent there for political reasons, such as association with the opposition, but rather to be “re-educated into accepting the rule of law” (Senior Researcher 6 Dec. 2018).

7. Treatment of Opposition Parties' Members Since April 2018

The Reporter, an Ethiopian newspaper, indicates that on 6 July 2018, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appointed OFC chairman Merera Gudina to the board of the state broadcaster, the Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (The Reporter 7 July 2018b). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The information in the following paragraph was provided by the Human Rights Watch Senior Researcher:

There is “not a lot of harassment” of Blue Party or OFC members. However, although the new government has begun to reform the security and intelligence structure at the higher levels, on the local level, in some parts, “the same abusive people” are still in place, making it possible that “intimidations and harassment still occur toward local members.” Regarding the treatment of OFL members, the situation is “more complicated,” even if there is no “obvious harassment or violation of their rights.” However, within the OFL, there are currently various factions in different parts of Ethiopia, and in some places, the local population accepts them while in others, they do not (Senior Researcher 6 Dec. 2018). Further and corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] Human Rights Watch describes Maekelawi as a police station and detention centre where police investigators have detained and interrogated political prisoners using “various methods” of “tortur[e] and ill-treat[ment]” against the detainees (Human Rights Watch 17 Oct. 2013, 1-2).

[2] The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international humanitarian organization founded in Denmark that “assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe” (DRC n.d.).

[3] Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is an independent policy institute based in London (Chatham House n.d.).

References

Addis Standard. 28 June 2018. “News: Ethiopian Parliament Passes Amnesty Bill Into Law.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Addis Standard. 30 December 2017. Etenesh Abera. “News - Court Rejects Request by Dr. Merera Gudina to Declare Invalid Latest Audio/Video Evidence Added By Prosecutors as Evidence.” (Factiva) [Accessed 5 Dec. 2018]

Africanews. 5 March 2018. Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban. “Ethiopia Frees Politician Jailed Over 2015 Facebook Posts.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Africanews. 24 February 2018. “Ethiopia Risks 'Unprecedented' Protests with 'Rearrest' of OFC Leaders.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Africanews. 25 May 2017. Ismail Akwei. “Ethiopian Politician Jailed for 6.5 Years for 'Encouraging Terrorism' via Facebook.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Al Jazeera. 15 September 2018. “Thousands of Ethiopians Hail Return of Once-Banned Oromo Group.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Al Jazeera. 5 July 2018. Hamza Mohamed. “Ethiopia Removes OLF, ONLF and Ginbot 7 from Terror List.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Al Jazeera. 2 April 2018. “Abiy Ahmed Sworn in as Ethiopia's Prime Minister.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Al Jazeera. 5 August 2017. “Ethiopia Lifts State of Emergency Imposed in October.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Al Jazeera. 26 May 2017. “Ethiopia Jails Opposition Politician Yonatan Tesfaye.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Amnesty International. 28 March 2018. Seif Magango. “Ethiopia, What a Disappointment!” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Amnesty International. 22 February 2018. “Ethiopia.” Amnesty International Annual Report 2017/18: The State of the World's Human Rights. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

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Associated Press (AP). 15 September 2018. Elias Meseret. “Hundreds of Thousands in Ethiopia Welcome Once-Banned Group.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

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British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 25 September 2018. “Ethiopia Detains 1,200 After Deadly Addis Ababa Clashes.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 16 February 2018. “Ethiopia Declares National State of Emergency.” [Accessed 13 Dec. 2018]

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Chatham House. N.d. “About Chatham House.” [Accessed 11 Dec. 2018]

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Human Rights Watch. 11 October 2016. Felix Horne. “Anger Boiling Over in Ethiopia: Declaration of State of Emergency Risks Further Abuses.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Human Rights Watch. 17 October 2013. "They Want a Confession": Torture and Ill-Treatment in Ethiopia's Maekelawi Police Station. [Accessed 13 Dec. 2018]

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The New York Times. 24 September 2018. Hadra Ahmed and Joseph Goldstein. “Thousands Are Arrested in Ethiopia After Ethnic Violence.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

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The Reporter. 7 July 2018b. Yohannes Anberbir. “PM Appoints Opposition Leader to the Board of State Broadcaster.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Reuters. 17 September 2018. Aaron Maasho. “At Least 23 Die in Weekend of Ethiopia Ethnic Violence.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Reuters. 15 September 2018. Aaron Maasho. “Exiled Leader of Ethiopian Rebel Group Returns Home Amid Reforms.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Reuters. 20 July 2018. Maggie Fick. “Ethiopia Offers Amnesty to Recently Freed Political Prisoners.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

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Reuters. 5 June 2018. “Ethiopia's Parliament Approves Government's Move to End Emergency Rule.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Reuters. 17 February 2018. Aaron Maasho. “Ethiopia Says State of Emergency Will Last Six Months.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Reuters. 15 February 2018. Aaron Maasho. “Ethiopia's Prime Minister Resigns to Smooth Path for Political Reform.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Reuters. 13 February 2018. Aaron Maasho. “Ethiopia Frees Opposition Leader Amid Protests.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Senior Researcher, Human Rights Watch. 6 December. 2018. Telephone interview with the Research Directorate.

Soliman, Ahmed. 27 April 2018. “Ethiopia's Prime Minister Shows Knack for Balancing Reform and Continuity.” Chatham House. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Sudan Tribune. 3 December 2016. Tesfa-Alem Tekle. “Ethiopia Arrests Opposition Leader After Speech at EU Parliament.” (Factiva) [Accessed 5 Dec. 2018]

United States (US). 20 April 2018. Department of State. “Ethiopia.” Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017. [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Voice of America (VOA). 2 April 2018. “Abiy Ahmed Named Ethiopia's New Prime Minister.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Voice of America (VOA). 12 March 2018. Tsion Girma and Salem Solomon. “Ethiopian Town on Edge After Security Forces Kill, Injure Unarmed Residents.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

The Washington Post. 15 February 2018. Paul Schemm. “Ethiopia's Prime Minister Resigns Amid Political Turmoil.” [Accessed 10 Dec. 2018]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: ecoi.net; EU – European Asylum Support Office; IFEX; Institute for War and Peace Reporting; International Crisis Group; IRIN; UN – Refworld; UK – Home Office.