National watchdog of human rights in Ethiopia receives increased international support

In Ethiopia’s quest to move towards democracy and honour its international human rights obligations it is crucial that the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) receives increased international support.

Via the Danish Institute for Human Rights, Germany has now decided to join forces with Denmark through a basket fund providing resources and conditions, paving the way for the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission to gain full institutional capacity and becoming an independent and effective organisation contributing to human rights improvements. 

Last summer the Ethiopian Parliament amended the Establishment Proclamation of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, enabling the Commission to operate as an independent and effective human rights institution in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has since provided crucial documentation of some of the grave and systematic human rights violations that have taken place in violent conflicts including in the Tigray region. With Chief Commissioner Daniel Bekele at the helm, the Commission has repeatedly demonstrated its independence by exposing and holding perpetrators to account with effective investigation and reporting; prison monitoring and handling individual complaints, as well as human rights education. 
 

Statements by the involved partners

“The Commission is committed to promotion and protection of human rights, standing with victims of human rights violations and upholding justice and accountability. International support is crucial in supporting the reform of the Commission and Ethiopia’s move towards democratic governance, rule of law and respect for human rights obligations.”  
Daniel Bekele, Chief Commissioner of Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.

 “Ethiopia is at a crucial juncture of its political and economic reform effort. A strengthened Ethiopian Human Rights Commission is an important contributor to building peace and societal cohesion, needed for the reforms to be successful. Germany is looking forward to working closely with the EHRC and other partners.“
Stephan Auer, Ambassador, German Embassy says.

“Protection and promotion of human rights through strong national institutions are key priorities of the Danish Country Programme to Ethiopia. Denmark is proud to be part of a programme that aims at creating a strong and independent human rights institution and we look forward to continue the good cooperation.”
Karin Poulsen, Ambassador, Royal Danish Embassy says.

“It is a privilege to be a part of this project where a broad circle of countries want to support the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission in bringing human rights into the lives of people in Ethiopia. The Commission is well placed to head towards this ambition and we are ready to assist the Commission in making it a reality”
Eva Grambye, Deputy Executive Director, the Danish Institute for Human Rights