In recent years, the government of Ethiopia has been implementing restrictions on human rights organizations that have made it nearly impossible for them to operate. Human Rights Watch reports that in 2009, the Ethiopian parliament implemented the Charities and Societies Proclamation which was a law that made it illegal for human rights organizations to receive any more than 10 percent of their donations and funding from foreign donors. This has created chaos in the non profit community as many organizations have had no choice but to shut down their operations in Ethiopia.
Furthermore, the Ethiopian government has been causing a lot of difficulties for one organization in particular, the Human Rights Council. This organization has been in Ethiopia for longer than any other and in 2009 the government froze all of their assets. This has made it very difficult for them to operate as they need their funds in order to fight against human rights abuses.
Tell the government of Ethiopia that these restrictions are ridiculous and completely unacceptable. Tell them to reverse this harmful law and allow human rights organizations to operate freely.
We the undersigned sincerely ask the Ethiopian government to reverse the harmful Charities and Societies Proclamation that makes it illegal for human rights organizations to obtain any more than ten percent of their funding from foreign sources. Human rights organizations are there to work with the government in order to protect and seek justice for innocent civilians. By having this restriction on these organizations, the government is harming itself and its citizens as these groups are there to help. Recent decisions by parliament have not been in favour of these important organizations as in 2009, the government froze the assets of the Human Rights Council. As the Human Rights Council is the oldest organization in Ethiopia, the government should want to work with them as they have a great reputation and track record.
Please show you citizens that you care for them and the world that you are against human rights abuses by removing this harmful law and unfreezing the Human Rights Council’s assets.
Thank you.
