Communication 372GTK/2009-Interights (on behalf of Gizaw Kebede and Kebede
Tadesse) v Ethiopia
Summary of Complaint
1. The Complaint was received at the Secretariat of the African Commission on
Human and Peoples‟ Rights on 12 March 2009. The Complaint is brought by
International Centre for the Legal Protection of Human Rights (INTERIGHTS) on
behalf of Gizaw Kebede (1st Applicant) and Tadesse Kebede (2nd Applicant)
against the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia1.
2. The 1st Applicant is the son of the 2nd Applicant and they are both citizens of
Ethiopia. The Complainant alleges that the 1st Applicant was issued licence for
the production of river washed sand from 1993 to 2004 and the 2nd Applicant was
issued licences for the production of construction materials from 30 June 1954 to
4 February 2004, at District Met Walga Farmers Association in Walgaa River
(now the Goro District Soyema Farmers Association), and at Woliso District
Maru Gotu Farmers Association.
3. The Complainant states that in Ethiopia, administrative zones are made up of
districts. The former Woliso District is located in South West Shoa District which
administers the area in which the quarries are located. South West Shoa District
authorities issued the licences on behalf of the Ministry of Energy and Mines and
in accordance with Proclamation 52/1993 article 46.
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The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples‟ Rights
on 15 June 1998 and is thus a State party to the African Charter.
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