The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), in collaboration with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), held a half-day stakeholder consultation on December 23, 2025, in Addis Ababa. The consultation aimed to advocate for an effective implementation of recommendations from Ethiopia’s 4th Cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR), with a particular focus on the protection of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and migrants.
The event brought together key stakeholders from government institutions, UN agencies, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and associations working on the rights of IDPs and migrants.
The Ministry of Justice presented an overview of key UPR recommendations addressed to Ethiopia, followed by an introduction to the recently developed implementation roadmap, outlining priority activities, implementation modalities and responsible institutions. The Ministry of Peace highlighted ongoing government initiatives aimed at protecting IDPs and providing durable solutions, emphasizing the need for robust policy, legal and institutional frameworks. Similarly, the National Partnership Coalition (NPC), a Ministry of Justice-led coordination mechanism for migration governance, shared progress made to date and outlined plans to ensure the effective implementation of UPR recommendations related to migrants’ rights.
Participants raised concerns regarding delays in the domestication of the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (the Kampala Convention) and the ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, highlighting adverse impacts resulting therefrom. Participating organizations reaffirmed their commitment towards ensuring the effective implementation of UPR recommendations and realizing the rights of IDPs and migrants.
Mehreteab Gebremeskel, Director of the Department for the Rights of IDPs, Refugees and Migrants at EHRC, stressed the urgent need for adopting an implementing legislation for the Kampala Convention and designating a dedicated government body to protect IDPs and ensure durable solutions. He further underscored the importance of ratifying the International Convention on the Protection of the rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families to strengthen human rights-compliant migration governance, emphasizing the importance of sustained advocacy, strong stakeholder commitment, and effective collaboration.