Decision on Merits of the African Commission on Human and
Peoples’ Rights
Communication 599/16- Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
and Institute for Human Rights in Africa v the Federal
Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
Summary of the Complaint:
1. The Secretariat received a Complaint on 4 February 2016 from Robert
F. Kennedy Human Rights, on behalf of the Ethiopian Human Rights
Project (“the Complainants”) acting on behalf of the Ethiopian
Electorate (“the Victims”), against the Federal Democratic Republic of
Ethiopia (hereafter referred to as “the Respondent State” or “Ethiopia”),
State Party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the
Charter).
2. The Complainants allege that the Respondent State violated the
Victims’ right to participate in public affairs before the 2015 elections
actively.
3. The Complainants further allege that the Respondent State’s systematic
crackdown on media, public demonstrations, human rights
organizations, and political opponents in the 2015 electoral period
unlawfully restricted civic space in the country, including the rights to
freedom of assembly, association, and expression.
4. The Complainants aver that through the enactment of repressive laws,
which criminalize the work of civil society, opposition groups,
journalists, and human rights defenders, the Respondent State created
a restrictive environment where Ethiopians were unable to express
opinions critical of the ruling party, and thus unable to participate in
the public affairs of their country.
5. The Complainants state that in the 2015 electoral period, Ethiopians
could not freely publish their opinions critical of the Respondent State,
publicly demonstrate, or hold their elected representatives accountable
without being subject to arbitrary arrest, detention, or harassment.
6. The Complainants aver that without the free flow of vital information,
mainly information that was critical of the Respondent State and the
ruling party, the Victims were not fully informed and were unable to
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African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District,
West Coast Region, The Gambia,
Phone: (220) 230 4361 Fax: (220) 441 05 04
Email: au-banjul@africa-union.org
https:/achpr.au.int/