The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (FIDH-OMCT) expresses grave concern over a newly proposed proclamation that, if passed, would significantly restrict the independence, operations, and survival of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Ethiopia. This draft legislation represents a major step backwards for civic space in the country, undermining the rights to freedom of association, expression, and access to justice.
Paris - Geneva, 2 July 2025 – The Ethiopian Authority for Civil Society Organisations (ACSO) has reportedly drafted a new proclamation that would dramatically tighten state control over the work and funding of CSOs. The proposed amendments grant sweeping powers to the Ministry of Justice and ACSO to intervene in the internal affairs of independent organisations, impose heavy administrative burdens, and arbitrarily restrict access to funding—particularly for groups engaged in democratic advocacy or election-related work.
Under the draft:
- The governance of CSOs will fall under direct state control, with 5 of 7 board members appointed by the Ministry of Justice, including the chairperson.
- The Ministry will have the power to suspend or dissolve organisations deemed a “threat to national security,” without clear definitions or independent judicial oversight.
- International and diaspora funding for local CSOs working on political advocacy, voter education, or election observation will be banned, cutting off critical support for democratic engagement.
- Administrative sanctions—ranging from suspension to license revocation—can be imposed for vague or minor infractions, including failure to update the authority on office address changes or delays in financial reporting.
- CSOs will be required to report all funding within 15 days, obtain pre-approval to open bank accounts, and may have their bank accounts frozen during investigations.
- Judicial appeals are eliminated, with the ACSO board serving as the final authority, undermining the right to a fair and independent review process.
These provisions, if enacted, would amount to a de facto criminalisation of independent civil society in Ethiopia. The space for public interest organisations, especially those working on human rights, democracy, and governance, would be further narrowed, and dissenting voices effectively silenced.
This proposed legislation comes against the backdrop of a broader and deepening crackdown on civic space in Ethiopia. In 2024 alone, over 1,500 organisations were reportedly shut down for administrative non-compliance, often linked to resource constraints and systemic barriers rather than deliberate wrongdoing. Many of these organisations were small, community-based, and underfunded, already struggling to meet reporting obligations under the previous legal framework.
The Observatory strongly condemns this legislative regression and urges the Ethiopian authorities to:
- Immediately halt the adoption of the proposed proclamation and engage in inclusive consultations with civil society actors.
- Guarantee the independence and freedom of operation of CSOs, in line with Ethiopia’s obligations under its Constitution and international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
- Ensure access to independent judicial review for any punitive measures taken against CSOs.
The Observatory also calls on Ethiopia’s international and regional partners to:
- Engage the Ethiopian authorities in urgent diplomatic dialogue to reject the proposed restrictions and support civic space.
- Publicly denounce the escalating repression of civil society and advocate for protection mechanisms for human rights defenders.
- Provide technical and financial assistance to Ethiopian CSOs working under threat, including flexible funding and emergency support.
Signatories
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (the Observatory) was created in 1997 by FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). The objective of this programme is to prevent or remedy situations of repression against human rights defenders. FIDH and OMCT are both members of ProtectDefenders.eu, the European Union Human Rights Defenders Mechanism implemented by international civil society.
