Ethiopia's human rights body on Wednesday implicated security forces in the killings of more than a dozen civilians last year in an incident that has stoked tensions in the restive Oromia region.
The program is titled human rights defenders for Peace: The Right to Peace as a Human Rights.
Fear of imprisonment and retaliation silences Ethiopia’s human rights defenders and critics of the government. The Institute’s partner organisation, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) keeps calling on the parties to the conflict.
By August 2021, more than 1.7 million people were internally displaced in Tigray, while Afar and Amhara regional states have also been affected, with fighting continuing to expand in these regions.
A conversation with Dr Daniel Bekele, Chief Commissioner of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and Winner of the German Africa Award 2021
I am honoured and humbled by the award from Germany. It definitely is a difficult time for Ethiopia, but the award is also a recognition of the efforts of institutions and human rights workers like me who are trying to work in a very difficult situation.
Ethiopian lawyer Daniel Bekele is being honored for his commitment towards defending human rights. The current head of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission grew up in the midst of a brutal military dictatorship, and has vowed to speak out and fight back against injustice.
The report is an important step for accountability and justice for those affected.
"Building an institution is not a short-term project and will not be completed in two years." – EHRC Chief Commissioner
'Daniel Bekele admits that the job is not easy as he works alongside the UN to investigate abuses in the country's Tigray region.'