The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) organized a consultation on November 04, 2024, in Addis Ababa city to discuss the challenges faced by Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers within the city. Following the war in Sudan, numerous refugees have sought refuge in Ethiopia. EHRC has been actively monitoring the situation of these refugees and asylum seekers in Benishangul Gumuz and Amhara regions.
During the consultation, EHRC shared finding from its monitoring activities, focusing on the conditions of refugees and asylum seekers in the urban context. Key issues were identified including access to registration and documentation, access to justice, protection against arbitrary detention, freedom of movement, safety and security concerns and access to food and other basic services.
Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers expressed specific concerns about limited access to asylum procedures, registration and basic services in Addis Ababa. Participants noted that these challenges increased their vulnerability, as they faced detention risks and lacked access to essential services such as health, education and banking. They emphasised the challenges undocumented asylum seekers encounter, as they are often treated as irregular migrants, which can lead to detention and restrictions on movement. Additionally, participants raised concerns about the difficulties in reuniting with family members who fled Sudan and the security risks facing Sudanese refugees in camps/settlement in the Amhara region, adding vulnerable groups—including undocumented children, women, persons with disabilities and the elderly—are also disproportionately affected by these issues.
In her closing remarks, Enguday Meskele, Director of the Department of the Rights of Refugees, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants at EHRC, underscored the urgent need to scale up efforts to address the protection risks faced by Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers in Ethiopia. She highlighted the importance of collaboration between the Ethiopian government and international partners in addressing these challenges. Enguday reaffirmed EHRC’s commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to advocate for the rights and well-being of refugees and asylum seekers.
