In what could be said a mammoth step, Ethiopia has effectuated the newly revised and endorsed Civil Societies Proclamation. The preparation of new Anti Terror Law and Mass Media proclamation is also on pipeline. To expedite the process, the Law and Justice Advisory Council. This move has been met with cheers by human right activists who have been voicing their concern ever these legislations came to the spot. Under previous law, Non Government Human right organizations find it difficult to solicit finance from domestic sources due to the ill thought that these institutions are of luxury values.
This was an insult to injury since the people also tend to be interested to donate fund to other charities and societies engaged in other areas of charitable works. Expected to addresses the ,long echoed concerns expressed in relation to the previous law society organizations, the new law, which was adopted after participatory process would enhance the engagement of local civil societies in building democracy.
Now that financing restrictions are lifted and legislation are eased, it would be the local and international organizations themselves to build their capacity to work on human rights-related issues. BY DESTA GEBREHIWOT This Council has already begun initial consultations. Its duties are intended to achieve far sighted objectives in relation to promoting human and democratic rights by easing some restrictions.
Creating enabling legal framework is a must do task to transform the precarious and weakening human right organizations. While the planned amendments or new proclamation can help redress the challenges facing human right organizations , it is also equally important that the organization are able to build their capacity and ensure organizational independence.
The respect of these precious human rights could not be the sole responsibility of those in power. Legislations are far from enough to bring vibrant organizations into the fore. The organizations themselves should also be part of wider efforts to build strong human right institutions. These important entities should be able to stand on their two feet by forming strong institutional arrangements and devising reliable short and long terms income generating mechanisms.
The confrontation between government and the human right groups should turn into cooperation which otherwise the will in no way advance the objectives towards democratizations. It is in the interest of the general public that democratic and human right organizations are able powerful enough. Powerful enough to help the check and balance of the government and strong enough to sensitize and mobilize the people for democratic and human rights to flourish.
As the country ushers in new avenue of democracy and reconciliation, active participation of human right organizations is what the country needs most more than any time before. The organizations are the duty bearer to promoting their selfregulatory capacity and build their capacity thereby discharge the noble objective they stand for. While finance can be granted from donors, it is of the highest responsibility to the organizations to be independent and neutral. These entities need to improve the ethical and code of conducts of their members whose allegiance is the people and democratic values. In fact, organizations must be vibrant enough to sensitize and mobilize the people on human and democratic rights. To do so these organizations must be placed on strong foundation and one of the means to do that is to form unity.
other than going on fragile way , the different institutions should create consortium. In such a way these entities will be instrumental to investigate claims of human right abuses and malpractices. It is in the interest of the citizens of the country that the country’s ongoing democratic path is supported with strong democratic organizations.
After all, the fundamental principles on which the FDRE constitution founded on is the protection of Human and Democratic rights. These basic natural rights are considered to be inviolable and inalienable rights. They are the rights nature endowed to all mankind as they all are simply born with it. but the protection of these rights cannot be granted without an active participation of human right organizations.
The Ethiopian Herald April 19/2019
BY DESTA GEBREHIWOT
