National Human Rights Action Plan

199 Pages·2013·3.65 MB·English

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The Federal Democratic Republic Of
Ethiopia

National Human Rights Action Plan
2013 - 2015

June 2013
Addis Ababa
The Document was first drafted in Amharic and translated into English. Thus, the Amharic Version is the

Official Document.

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The Federal Democratic Republic of
Ethiopia

National Human Rights Action Plan
2013-2015

The Document was first drafted in Amharic and translated into English. Thus, the Amharic
Version is the Official Document.
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www.abyssinialaw.com

Contents
Contents ........................................................................................................................................... i
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Decision to Draft the Action Plan ................................................................................................... 2
Objective of the Action Plan ........................................................................................................... 3
Goal of the Action Plan................................................................................................................... 3
Structured Organization for the Preparation of the Action Plan ..................................................... 4
The Process and Methodology to Draft the Action Plan ................................................................ 5
Data sources and Inputs .................................................................................................................. 7
Scope of the Action Plan................................................................................................................. 8
Chapter One .................................................................................................................................. 10
The Foundations of Human Rights Protection in Ethiopia ........................................................... 10
1.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 10
1.2. Form and Structure of Government ............................................................................... 10
1.3. Human Rights in Ethiopia .............................................................................................. 11
1.4. FDRE Constitution and Human Rights .......................................................................... 13
1.5. International Human Rights Instruments ....................................................................... 14
1.6. Institutional Framework ................................................................................................. 15
1.7. National Human Rights Institutions ............................................................................... 16
1.7.1. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission ................................................................ 16
1.7.2. The Institution of Ombudsman ................................................................................... 17
Chapter Two.................................................................................................................................. 18
Civil and Political Rights .............................................................................................................. 18
2.1. Right to Life ................................................................................................................... 18
2.1.1. Constitutional Framework .......................................................................................... 18
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2.1.2. International Legal Framework .................................................................................. 18
2.1.3. What Has Been Done ................................................................................................. 18
2.1.4. Problem and Challenges ............................................................................................. 21
2.1.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions .......................................................................... 22
2.1.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ......................................................................................... 24
2.2. The Right of the Security of Person and Prohibition against Inhuman Treatment ........ 24
2.2.1. Constitutional Framework .......................................................................................... 24
2.2.2. International Legal Framework .................................................................................. 25
2.2.3. What Has Been Done ................................................................................................. 26
2.2.4. Problems and Challenges............................................................................................ 30
2.2.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions .......................................................................... 30
2.2.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ......................................................................................... 32
2.3. Rights of Persons Arrested, Persons Held in Custody and Convicted Prisoners ........... 32
2.3.1. Constitutional Framework .......................................................................................... 32
2.3.2. International Legal Framework .................................................................................. 33
2.3.3. What Has Been Done ................................................................................................. 34
2.3.4. Problems and Challenges............................................................................................ 36
2.3.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions .......................................................................... 38
2.3.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ......................................................................................... 40
2.4. The Rights of Persons Accused ...................................................................................... 40
2.4.1. Constitutional Framework .......................................................................................... 40
2.4.2. International Legal Framework .................................................................................. 41
2.4.3. What Has Been Done ................................................................................................. 41
2.4.4. Problem and Challenges ............................................................................................. 44
2.4.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions .......................................................................... 45
2.4.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ......................................................................................... 47
2.5. Right of Access to Justice .............................................................................................. 47
2.5.1. Constitutional Framework .......................................................................................... 47
2.5.2. International Legal Framework .................................................................................. 47
2.5.3. What Has Been Done ................................................................................................. 48
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2.5.4. Problems and Challenges............................................................................................ 50
2.5.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions .......................................................................... 51
2.5.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ......................................................................................... 53
2.6. Right of Thought, Opinion and Expression ................................................................... 54
2.6.1. Constitutional Framework .......................................................................................... 54
2.6.2. International Legal Framework .................................................................................. 54
2.6.3. What Has Been Done ................................................................................................. 55
2.6.4. Problems and Challenges............................................................................................ 58
2.6.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions .......................................................................... 59
2.6.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ......................................................................................... 61
2.7. Freedom of Association ................................................................................................. 61
2.7.1. Constitutional Framework .......................................................................................... 61
2.7.2. International Legal Framework .................................................................................. 61
2.7.3. What has been done .................................................................................................... 62
2.7.4. Problems and Challenges............................................................................................ 65
2.7.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions .......................................................................... 66
2.7.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ......................................................................................... 68
2.8. Freedom of Religion and Belief ..................................................................................... 68
2.8.1. Constitutional Framework .......................................................................................... 68
2.8.2. International Legal Framework .................................................................................. 69
2.8.3. What Has Been Done ................................................................................................. 69
2.8.4. Problems and Challenges............................................................................................ 72
2.8.5. Actions and Responsible Institutions ......................................................................... 72
2.8.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ......................................................................................... 73
Chapter Three................................................................................................................................ 74
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights .......................................................................................... 74
3.1. The Right to Adequate Food .......................................................................................... 74
3.1.1. Constitutional Framework .......................................................................................... 74
3.1.2. International Legal Framework .................................................................................. 74
3.1.3. What Has Been Done ................................................................................................. 74
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3.1.4. Problems and Challenges............................................................................................ 81
3.1.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions .......................................................................... 81
3.1.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ......................................................................................... 83
3.2. The Right to Health ........................................................................................................ 83
3.2.1. Constitutional Framework .......................................................................................... 83
3.2.2. International Legal Framework .................................................................................. 83
3.2.3. What Has Been Done ................................................................................................. 84
3.2.4. Problems and Challenges............................................................................................ 89
3.2.5. Plan and Implementing Institutions ............................................................................ 90
3.2.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ......................................................................................... 94
3.3. Right to Education .......................................................................................................... 94
3.3.1. Constitutional Framework .......................................................................................... 94
3.3.2. International Legal Framework .................................................................................. 94
3.3.3. What Has Been Done ................................................................................................. 95
3.3.4. Problems and Challenges.......................................................................................... 100
3.3.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions ........................................................................ 101
3.3.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ....................................................................................... 104
3.4. Right to Work ............................................................................................................... 105
3.4.1. Constitutional Framework ........................................................................................ 105
3.4.2. International Legal Framework ................................................................................ 105
3.4.3. What Has Been Done ............................................................................................... 106
3.4.4. Problems and Challenges.......................................................................................... 111
3.4.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions ........................................................................ 112
3.4.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ....................................................................................... 113
3.5. Right to Adequate Housing .......................................................................................... 114
3.5.1. Constitutional Framework ........................................................................................ 114
3.5.2. International Legal Framework ................................................................................ 114
3.5.3. What Has Been Done ............................................................................................... 114
3.5.4. Problems and Challenges.......................................................................................... 117
3.5.5. Actions and Implementing Institutions..................................................................... 118
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3.5.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ....................................................................................... 120
3.6. The Right to Clean Water............................................................................................. 120
3.6.1. Constitutional Framework ........................................................................................ 120
3.6.2. International Legal Framework ................................................................................ 120
3.6.3. What Has Been Done ............................................................................................... 121
3.6.4. Problems and Challenges.......................................................................................... 123
3.6.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions ........................................................................ 124
3.6.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ....................................................................................... 126
3.7. Right to Social Security................................................................................................ 126
3.7.1. Constitutional Framework ........................................................................................ 126
3.7.2. International Legal Framework ................................................................................ 126
3.7.3. What Has Been Done ............................................................................................... 127
3.7.4. Problems and Challenges.......................................................................................... 129
3.7.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions ........................................................................ 130
3.7.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ....................................................................................... 130
3.8. Cultural Right ............................................................................................................... 131
3.8.1. Constitutional Framework ........................................................................................ 131
3.8.2. International Legal Framework ................................................................................ 131
3.8.3. What has been done .................................................................................................. 132
3.8.4. Problems and Challenges.......................................................................................... 135
3.8.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions ........................................................................ 135
3.8.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ....................................................................................... 137
Chapter Four ............................................................................................................................... 138
Rights of Vulnerable Groups ...................................................................................................... 138
4.1. Rights of Women ......................................................................................................... 138
4.1.1. Constitutional framework ......................................................................................... 138
4.1.2. International Legal Framework ................................................................................ 139
4.1.3. What has been done .................................................................................................. 139
4.1.4. Problems and challenges .......................................................................................... 142
4.1.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions ........................................................................ 143
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4.1.6. Monitoring and evaluation........................................................................................ 145
4.2. Rights of the Child ....................................................................................................... 145
4.2.1. Constitutional Provisions .......................................................................................... 145
4.2.2. International Legal Framework ................................................................................ 146
4.2.3. Measures and Actions Taken .................................................................................... 146
4.2.4. Problems and Challenges.......................................................................................... 150
4.2.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions ........................................................................ 151
4.2.6. Monitoring and evaluation........................................................................................ 153
4.3. The Rights of Persons with Physical and/or Mental Disability ................................... 153
4.3.1. Constitutional Framework ........................................................................................ 153
4.3.2. International legal framework .................................................................................. 154
4.3.3. What Has Been Done ............................................................................................... 154
4.3.4. Problems and challenges .......................................................................................... 157
4.3.5. Plans and implementing institutions ......................................................................... 158
4.3.6. Monitoring and evaluation........................................................................................ 159
4.4. Rights of Persons living with HIV/AIDS ..................................................................... 159
4.4.1. Constitutional Framework ........................................................................................ 159
4.4.2. International Legal Framework ................................................................................ 160
4.4.3. What has been done .................................................................................................. 160
4.4.4. Problems and Challenges.......................................................................................... 162
4.4.5. Plans and implementing institutions ......................................................................... 163
4.4.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ....................................................................................... 164
4.5. Right of the Elderly ...................................................................................................... 164
4.5.1. Constitutional Provision ........................................................................................... 164
4.5.2. International Legal Framework ................................................................................ 164
4.5.3. What Has Been Done ............................................................................................... 165
4.5.4. Problems and Challenges.......................................................................................... 167
4.5.5. Plans and Implementing Institutions ........................................................................ 167
4.5.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ....................................................................................... 168
Chapter Five ................................................................................................................................ 169
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Environmental Rights and the Right to Development ................................................................ 169
5.1. Environmental rights .................................................................................................... 169
5.1.1. Constitutional framework ......................................................................................... 169
5.1.2. International Legal Frame work ............................................................................... 169
5.1.3. What has been done .................................................................................................. 170
5.1.4. Problems and Challenges.......................................................................................... 172
5.1.5. Plans and implementing institutions ......................................................................... 172
5.1.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ....................................................................................... 173
5.2. The Right to Development ........................................................................................... 173
5.2.1. Constitutional framework ......................................................................................... 173
5.2.2. International Legal Frame ........................................................................................ 174
5.2.3. What has been done .................................................................................................. 174
5.2.4. Problems and Challenges.......................................................................................... 180
5.2.5. Plans and implementing institutions ......................................................................... 181
5.2.6. Monitoring and Evaluation ....................................................................................... 181
Chapter Six.................................................................................................................................. 182
Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation of the National Action Plan ................................. 182
6.1. Implementing Procedure .............................................................................................. 182
6.1.1. Detailed Performance Plan of the Implementing Institutions .................................. 182
6.1.2. Awareness Creation .................................................................................................. 183
6.1.3. The Role of Development Partners, Donor Organizations, and Civil Associations. 183
6.1.4. The Role of National Human Rights Institutions ..................................................... 185
6.1.5. Expansion of Human Rights Education .................................................................... 186
6.2. Monitoring and Evaluation Procedure ......................................................................... 187

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Introduction
The government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia /FDRE/ is diligently engaged to
ensure the respect, protection and fulfillment of fundamental human and democratic rights
recognized in the Constitution. To design and implement a strategy that reinforce the respect and
protection of human rights enables nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia to be a
sustainable beneficiaries. The preparation and implementation of human rights Action Plan plays
an internationally recognized role to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights at a national level
in a structured and comprehensive manner.
The main reason for the preparation of human rights Action Plan is to ensure the full
implementation of fundamental and democratic rights guaranteed under the Constitution the
primary beneficiaries being the Ethiopian people. To-date, the Ethiopian government has
attained encouraging success in respecting and protecting human rights recognized under the
Constitution. The National Human Rights Action Plan, which is to be implemented in tandem
with the Growth and Transformation Plan, is prepared to better realize human rights in a
comprehensive and structured manner, to accelerate the process of building good governance and
democracy, and to ensure the sustainability of economic development.
The National Human Rights Action Plan will be the first of its kind as it shall bring together all
the separate efforts that were planed and accomplished within the different government
departments. This will enable the Nation to conduct human rights protection and promotion
activities in a coordinated and effective manner. Moreover, the preparation of the Action Plan
shall be an opportunity to manifest the Government‘s determination to clearly translate the
existing plans in this area into practice, which will in turn serve for the better protection and
promotion of human rights. It should be noted that the Action Plan is to be executed by the
government organs along with the relevant development partners, civil society associations and
other stakeholders, as important part of the five years Growth and Transformation Plan.
The concept of National Human Rights Action Plan was first developed as part of the second
world conference on Human Rights held in Vienna, in 1993 which culminated in the adoption of
the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action. This document was later endorsed by the United
Nations General Assembly and recommends in Part 11, Paragraph71 that each state ―shall
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