The definition of security agent is stated as, “A security agent is a professional responsible for protecting individuals, property, and assets from various threats, including theft, vandalism, and other criminal activities.” The role of a security agent goes beyond mere surveillance to encompass a wide range of responsibilities that cover understanding of the protocols (verifiable by experience), risk assessment, and emergency response. They are present in various offices, residential areas, and public events each requiring appropriate security management.
In specific condition to our country, abuse blamed on the “security” forces sporadically circulate over the Social Media. It appears there is increased intensity of the cases particularly in Amhara and Oromia regions arguably in connection to the ongoing conflicts.
The abuse in circulation allege the security agents, among them the ‘militia’ for the killings that are captured by the camera in the presence of gathered crowd to witness the sort of dramatized performance. In one incident, for example, parents, relatives and residents in the neighborhood of a victim were among the ‘observant’. In their presence shot was fired in which a young man is seen tumbling to face his death. What they did to the remains as allegedly narrated by locals was incomprehensible to the ordinary human who has value for fellow humans.
In another incident, a young man is seen with his arms tied tightly pulled to the back of his body. He was then ordered to lie down flat his face turned down into a filthy water. Next he was made to lie flat into a flowing dirty stream. When the young man tried to lift up his head a person’s leg wearing military shoes was seen stepping on the head pressing down into the water. Such are the horrible actions recorded indicating that they are not isolated incidents.
While such killings are done for whatever alleged acts of crime, the motive of dramatized gathering recorded in public is not clear. In fact, responsible media outlets do not display such horrifying images leave alone recording them to circulate to the audience. The display of horrific images may emerge out of lack of professionalism to meet the required discipline. Unfortunately, it has become the sordid reality persisting with the Social Media where there is no monitoring and control over its dissemination.
The major issue of concern here is the need to prepare the security agents, particularly the militia providing them with proper training and orientation about human rights, rule of law and governance – key issues for sustainable peace. Their duties and responsibilities should be clearly defined to avoid arbitrary actions unacceptable by the law.
There has to be sufficient and continuous orientation provided to security forces. They need to have basic concept of fundamental human rights as stipulated in the FDRE Constitution. There should be check and balance in their execution of duties strictly observing the law. The militia lacking sufficient training to observe the law may simply try to exhibit loyalty to appear trustworthy though the action contradicts with the rule and good governance.
In our view, security matters are so delicate that demand careful handling to prevent unnecessary repercussions which could lead to incessant violence within communities. Particularly, when the militia member recruited from the community turns against individual residents without following due process of the law, there cannot be guarantee to safety of any member of the community including the militia. The solution is and should always be protection of human rights by strictly applying the principles of rule of law, and good governance to attain sustainable Peace. Arbitrary killing is dangerous to stability of the country beyond safety of different communities.
The CDG is always ready to provide technical support to capacitate those responsible for safety and security of citizens for the protection of Human Rights, Rule of Law and Good Governance. . We could collaborate in the joint efforts of the likeminded given sufficient experience gained in the execution of similar tasks that attracted donor partners for their support. Our focus on the Rule of Law, Human Rights, and Good Governance are indicative of our perseverance for the restoration and sustenance of peace for the country. Let’s join hands to win hearts and minds for peace!