Since the start of the reform, Ethiopia has been witnessing a sea of change in various social, economic and political arenas. The state of the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression has also shown significant improvement. In this regard, it seems the country is entering a new era of hope.
For long, Ethiopians have been paying sacrifices to ensure freedom of expressions. It is a historical fact that following the 1974 revolution, a large number of Ethiopian youths lost their lives simply for expressing their views and holding a political stance. In fact, one of the major reasons for the peoples of Ethiopia to pay a huge sacrifice by engaging in a prolonged and arduous struggle was to ensure freedom of expression.
Then after, when Ethiopia endorsed the 1995 Federal Constitution, Article 29 was fully about right of thought, opinion and expression. Further, sub-article one and two state that everyone has the right to hold opinions and freedom of expression without interference. This right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any media of his choice.
Despite this fact, Ethiopia’s government continued its long track history of curtailing independent media, limiting the rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
Since 2005, the government shut down dozens of publications. Many journalists were threatened, intimidated, and targeted for politically-motivated prosecutions under criminal or terrorism charges. As a result, they were forced to leave the country in mass.
Since the start of the reform, the government saw many positive human rights reforms and a renewed sense of optimism following several years of protests and instability, along with decades of repressive authoritarian rule.
The reformist government has made it clear from the start that freedom of expression is a foundational right that other rights depend on. It also boldly stated its stance that a free flow of information is essential for engaged and responsible citizenry. Only a free market of ideas will lead to the truth.
That is why besides releasing a large number of bloggers, activists, politicians and journalists from jail, the government has opened access to a large number of blocked websites and foreign based opposition media outlets including.
Obviously, true democracy cannot be realized without freedom of expression. The concept of democracy is that of self-government by the people. For such a system to work, an informed electorate is necessary. In order to be appropriately knowledgeable, there must be no constraints on the free flow of information and ideas.
It should also be underlined that freedom of expression is not only a right but also a responsibility. The expression of one’s ideas and opinions freely through speech, writing, and other forms of communication should not target to deliberately violate the rights of others. It should not cause hatred on or harm to individuals’ or groups.
In this regard, the country has taken a significant step forward. Hence, at this critical time where freedom of expression is flourishing in the country, the government, the media and citizens should more than ever be cautious about the right and responsibilities of freedom of expression.
The Ethiopian Herald September 19, 2019
