political parties were prohibited from organizing rallies, and opposition
activities were impeded, resulting in the withdrawal of parties from the
election. They further allege that in October 2020, police used live bullets
against a protest opposing the Prime Minister in Bale Robe, leading to at
least one fatality and peaceful demonstrations against ethnically
motivated killings of individuals from the Amhara ethnic minority by the
National Amhara Movement (NAMA) were also banned. They add that the
government froze the accounts of the Tigray Peoples' Liberation Front
(TPLF). In January 2021, the National Election Board of Ethiopia
canceled the TPLF's electoral license, and opposition rallies were
suppressed while gatherings of the ruling party were allowed.
138.
The Complainants contend that in February 2021, one person was
killed by soldiers during an anti-government protest in Tigray, and
protests also erupted in Oromia due to the deteriorating health of
imprisoned opposition figures on a hunger strike, resulting in injuries
and at least one fatality. They further state that in February and March
2021, the OLF and the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) withdrew from
the June election, citing Government interference, the arrest of hundreds
of opposition leaders and members, and concerns about unfair
treatment.
139.
The Complainants submit that in June 2021, 7 national and
regional opposition parties raised concerns about the electoral process,
alleging harassment and unfair arrests of their members by the ruling
party. They add that on Election Day, there were reported human rights
violations, including attacks on candidates, supporters, election
workers, and security officers in certain regions, as well as polling delays.
140.
The Complainants also allege several incidences that took place in
2021, including the raiding of the Independent Broadcaster Awlo Media
Center on 30th June; police and security officers arbitrarily arresting and
detaining ethnic Tigrayans and conducting ID checks and body searches
in Tigrayan-populated neighborhoods in Addis Ababa in early July;
journalists Abebe Bayu and administrator Yayesew Shimelis from Ethio
Forum YouTube being detained, on 15 July; the license of the news
website Addis Standard revoked by the Ethiopian Media Authority
without explanation; and in late July, Ethiopian police detaining
hundreds of ethnic Tigrayans in Addis Ababa following the Government's
loss of control of Tigray's capital on June 28 while Tigrayan-owned
businesses were also forcibly closed.
141.
In conclusion, the Complainants allege that the Respondent
State, before 2015 and during the 2021 elections, violated Article 13(1)
of the Charter.
~ 26 ~
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/