U.S. Statement at the UPR of Ethiopia

19^th Session of the Universal Periodic Review

U.S. Statement delivered by Chargé d’affaires Peter Mulrean
May 6, 2014

The United States commends Ethiopia for its commitment to economic and social development. We remain seriously concerned by restrictions on civil society activity, the arbitrary detention and harassment of human rights defenders, journalists, and opposition political figures, and the politicized application of laws against opposition voices.

We are deeply concerned that the Charities and Societies Proclamation has severely restricted many local organizations’ ability to conduct important democracy, governance, and human rights work. Easing restrictions will move Ethiopia toward an environment of inclusiveness and political plurality in advance of the 2015 national elections.

We recommend that the Ethiopian government:

1. Conduct a full review of the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation, amending the law as necessary to ensure that it strengthens the rule of law and is applied apolitically and in full compliance with Ethiopia’s international human rights obligations;

2. Repeal the Charities and Societies Proclamation in order to promote the development of an independent civil society able to operate freely;

3. Permit the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association to travel to Ethiopia to advise the government.

Thank you Mr. President.