~CH:t)ACHPR ",.il (.lfl\'Hj~ African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Human Rights our Collective Responsibility 120. In light of the scope of representation at various levels of state and federal government, the Respondent State submitted that the Complainants' arguments that the people of the South Omo are without representation is unfounded and should be discountenanced. 121. The Respondent State also submitted that, despite this prima facie evidence of representation, it conducted an extensive public consultation process that conclusively shows that the people of Bodi, Dassenech, Hamar, Kara, Kwegu, Mursi and Nyangatom have "freely determine[d] their political status [and pursued] their economic and social development according to the policy they have freely chosen" in accordance with Article 20(1) of the African Charter. 122. The Respondent State submitted that the public consultation regarding the Gibe III Hydro-Electric Power Project (HEPP) began in 2007 with the local administrators and the EEPeO-hired experts who explained the possible impacts of the dam on the Omo River. The Respondent State submitted that the public consultations documented the concerns of attendees that there could be a reduction in the flow of Omo River and that this could impact their livelihoods. However, the consultations showed that the people were positive and that despite their concerns, wanted to know how they could reap benefits from the project. 123. With regards to the Kuraz, the Respondent State submitted that based on the proximity of the sugar factories to the areas where the People of Bodi reside, the Government of Ethiopia spent significant effort to consult practically every elder and village chief in Selamago Woreda. That the consultations were organized at the zonal, woreda and kebele levels where members of the community were invited to participate in public discussions, presentations, and question-answer sessions with administrators as well as with representatives of the People in the SNNPR Councils, the House of Federations and House of People's Representatives. An Orgall onlle Afri~an fr~"-> Unlon'-,- . 25 https:lachpr.au,lntiO 0 a