Human Rights are not transitory issues that come and go in the passage of time. They are there continuously demanding respect, protection and fulfillment from all in line with their shared responsibilities. There are check and balance actions to ensure the respect, protection and fulfillment of Human Rights strictly function as the guarantee for peace and security of the country.
The CDG believes that the status respect, protection and fulfillment of Human Rights should be monitored, checked and in case of violations, measures determined by the law are taken as swiftly as possibly so that citizens are satisfied by the measures to live under protection of the law. It is with this firm belief that the CDG raise issues of Human Rights repetitively to bring to the attention of all concerned. Respect for Human Rights is stipulated in the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (1995). For instance, article 15 of the Constitution on the issue of ‘Right to Life’ states, “Every person has the right to life. No person may be deprived of his life except as a punishment for a serious criminal offence determined by law”. It means, therefore, killing not determined by the law via the designate authorities for the purpose exposes the country to serious threat of peace and security as part of violation of fundamental human rights.
The CDG recently inquired “Why extreme cruelty was on the rise in Ethiopia?” in order to voice concern over the issue. It was largely about the sporadic extra judicial killings circulating over the Social Media. The underlying idea was a call to honor our human values whether those cherished through age old traditions the society lived or the modern behavior acquired through education and interactions with the entire world. It was meant to question as to where we were heading under the extreme cruelty ought to be condemned for the shameful acts. Over all, we called for the stakeholders to stop the acts of crime against humanity which would otherwise lead to uncontrollable crises.
Nevertheless, horrifying information still circulate over the media accompanied by disturbing images said witnessed by the crowd on site among who were parents of a teenager shot in front of the camera. This recent incident took place despite the precautionary messages of the CDG and other concerned stakeholders. Such precautionary messages should still continue to circulate until there are corrective measures taken to rectify the actions taken aside the law, which we shall equally treat in appreciation on our part just like the recent investigation underway by Supreme Court of Oromia over the reported beatings of Judges in Yayya Gullelle Woreda of North Shewa Zone of Oromia Region.
Acknowledging the perpetual Human Rights violations, the Human Rights Commission of Ethiopia recently issued statement in which it cited an increase in human rights violations in the country. The Commission cited the increase of violations recorded during its quarter report in which it was made clear that government security agents and outlawed armed groups were to blame for extra judicial killings and other acts of crime that mostly targeted civilian population. In addition to the killings, the report of the Commission detailed the violations as prolonged detention, detaining in unidentified location, lack of swift measure for justice, kidnappings and others. The report equally blamed armed groups in Amhara and Oromia regions for killing civilians here and there following skirmishes with government security forces.
Publicity of the report is a positive move which indicates that the government body acknowledges the extremely worrying security situation of the country. The report concludes its presentation calling for peaceful settlement of disputes that are cause for the violence with involvement of armed conflicts.
The CDG once again cautions parties involved in the violence for restraint and opt for peaceful dialogue to iron out differences. At the same time, the Government, other concerned parties and the public should exert pressure for reconciliation and restoration of lasting peace in the country.