Ethiopian lawmakers should significantly revise the draft law on hate speech and disinformation currently before parliament. Zinabu tunu, communications head at the office of the attorney general. On wednesday 17 july 20, members of the european parliaments subcommittee on human rights visited ethiopia and urged the government to release journalists and opposition activists imprisoned under the countrys antiterrorism proclamation no. By brandon sams introduction ethiopia is a country with a turbid history of free speech and free press rights due to a troubled conflict both internally and externally. Part ii of the comment analyzes the effects the press law will likely have on the media and citizens of ethiopia. Ethiopian journalists have been subjected to the vague provisions listed in this press law and the resultant harsh penalties.
Any person of either sex shall be an ethiopian national where both or either parent is ethiopian. Pdf the history of the ethiopian media industry from the imperial period to. On 6 january 2009, the ethiopian parliament passed the charities and societies proclamation ngo law, which criminalizes most human rights work in the country according to hrw, who added that the law is a direct rebuke to governments that assist ethiopia and that had expressed concerns about the laws restrictions on freedom of. Proc no 533 broadcasting service proclamation ministry of. The proclamation was adopted and came into force upon its publication in the federal negarit gazeta of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia official gazette 14th year no. Ethiopias antiterrorism proclamation and the right to freedom of expression. Constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia. Press although ethiopia has a long tradition of cleric inscription and the first news paper publication is a century old ethiopia is yet far from having a well established vibrant free press shimelis, 2000. Ethiopia free speech and free press around the world. Country does not meet or only minimally meets objectives. However, the press proclamations of 1992, 1999, and the broadcast. Nov 22, 2011 except articles 8 and 19 of the press proclamation no. Apr 26, 2016 thank you very match i got very neccesary material of law from you. Ethiopia is a country with a turbid history of free speech and free press rights due to a troubled conflict both internally and externally.
Television broadcast is regulated by broadcast proclamation no. When the incumbent government came to power in 1991, it promised, among other things, to establish a multiparty political system with a free press, to hold free and democratic elections, to honour and protect. Wazema radio, mapping the ethiopian media, may 2018 3 introduction for the ruling party, it can be an enemy of the state. Particulars relating to nationality shall be determined by law. Given that ethiopias history of oppression and suppression of free speech it is understandable that international human rights organizations are expressing skepticism and concern about this recent proclamation s unintended longterm effects.
The legal framework for press freedom was reaffirmed in the constitution of the federal democratic republic of ethiopia, which was adopted by the directly elected. It is the sole publisher of the only daily amharic language newspaper known as addis zemen. The enterprise also publishes the ethiopian herald, a daily newspaper except on mondays in english language. Council approves regulations, refers draft proclamation enn news the council of ministers at its 28th regular meeting held on tuesday has.
Ethiopia reestablishes geospatial information agency. On 30 may, we received a version entitled unofficial, 1st draft press law, issued by the ministry of information and dated 23 may 2003. The draft ethiopian proclamation concerning press freedom. This briefing note contains article 19s comments on a draft ethiopian. New ethiopian driving license proclamation dw amharic feb. Republic of ethiopia, it is hereby proclaimed as follows. Private press was non existent in ethiopia before 1991. Country minimally meets objectives, with segments of the legal system and government opposed. Convinced of the need to amend the existing press law and to replace it by a new. History of modern ethiopia 2nd ed 18551991 eastern african. Addis ababa university press, btec books and ohio university press, journal of modern african studies 43, no.
Except articles 8 and 19 of the press proclamation no. Addis abeba, november 232018 akin to the recently introduced national motto in all government offices and beyond, ethiopia, a new horizon of hope, which brings a single page dashboard of 100 days plan, the office of attorney general is preparing a draft bill aiming to curb hate speech and bring. Boundaries, identity issues ethiopian press agency. The legal status of stateowned share companies in ethiopia. The federal democratic republic of ethiopia has approved the proclamation for the reestablishment of the ethiopian mapping agency as the ethiopian geospatial information agency. Professional code of ethics of the ethiopian free press journalists association efja as endorsed by its general congress in december 1998. The mass media and freedom of information proclamation, which purports to update and reform the first ever ethiopian press law of 1992, has been a. The coming of the ethiopian peoples revolutionary democratic front eprdf into power in 1991 has laid a historical legal framework for the ethiopian press, with all its challenges on the ground. Press law from its introduction in 2003 to the passage of the mass media and freedom of information proclamation in july 2008.
Tax invoice has the meaning assigned to it under article 22. Ethiopian press agency, established in 1940, is a public media enterprise operating in ethiopia. In 201516, the flow of online traffic into, within, and out of ethiopia. Freedom of the mass media and access to information. A proclamation to the world is a 1995 statement issued by the church. Amendment the public servants pension proclamation no. The 1992 press law, instead of benefiting the ethiopian peoples, has become the most notorious tool of silencing any forms of oppositions from any directions against the ruling party.
The draft press law has in fact filled us all members of the free press with shock and consternation. Call on the ethiopian government to immediately free all journalists convicted under. Addis ababa, ethiopia elias meseret, an ethiopian journalist with more than 11 years experience, is feeling optimistic as he marks world press freedom day on friday. Ethiopia the right to hold opinions, thoughts, and free expressions.
Journalists cautiously celebrate press freedom in ethiopia. Ethiopia was ranked 143 out of 180 countries in the world press freedom index, 2014. Freedominfo ethiopia criminalizes free flow of information. Ethiopia freedom of the mass media and ati proclamation 2008. A proclamation to the world is a 1995 statement issued by the church of printing multiple slides on one page pdf jesus christ of latterday saints lds churchwhose adherents are. Nov 23, 2018 zinabu tunu, communications head at the office of the attorney general. Oct 15, 2014 ethiopia was ranked 143 out of 180 countries in the world press freedom index, 2014. A proclamation to printing pdf without line weights the world copywork notebook manuscript. However, the press proclamations of 1992, 1999, and the broadcast proclamation of 2007 have not been able to guarantee journalists and media workers freedom in carrying out their duties with ease. Definitions unless the context otherwise requires, in this proclamation. Since 2011, international human rights organisation article 19 has documented 12 journalists prosecuted under the antiterrorist proclamation 6522009 and at least 33 cases of journalists fleeing the country in fear of prosecution under the same law. History of modern ethiopia 2nd ed 18551991 eastern.
An employee or official of the ethiopian postal services, acting on behalf of the ethiopian customs authority who administers this proclamation. The ethiopian governments monopolistic control over the countrys telecommunications infrastructure via ethiotelecom enables it to restrict information flows and access to internet and mobile phone services. Council approves regulations, refers draft proclamation enn news the council of ministers at its 28th regular meeting held on tuesday has approved two draft regulations and referred a. Aware that a free, independent and diverse mass media with high ethical. The decision will enhance and contribute towards building the capacity of the agency in producing, compiling and. If approved, the hate speech and disinformation prevention and. By human rights league of the horn of africahrlha march 2009 ethiopia is said to be one of the emerging democracies in africa.
The decision was passed in the parliament by the house of peoples representatives. According to the 20 annual press freedom index by reporters without borders, ethiopia was ranked 7 th out of 179 countries. This proclamation shall enter into force up on the date of publication in the federal negarit gazeta. According to the 20 annual press freedom index by reporters without borders, ethiopia was ranked 7th out of 179 countries. The notion of free press, which of course is integral to freedom of expression. The journalist has the obligation to inform the public on the malpractice of officials. Recollections of fighter pilots on the eastern front. Aug 30, 20 ethiopias antiterrorism proclamation and the right to freedom of expression. Provisions of this constitution set out in the masculine gender shall also apply to the. Whereas, it has been found necessary to have a system, that enables to protect. The ethiopian press is both depended on and much maligned.
A police officer or official of the ethiopian police force, acting on behalf of the authority under this proclamation. Google drive is a free way to keep your files backed up and easy to. Short title this proclamation may be cited as the insurance business proclamation no. The assumption that the western media are free and should be the guiding. Dec 28, 2019 the problem with ethiopias proclamation. It has greatly threatened the very existence of the free press. Like any responsible press legislation, the proclamation set civil and criminal penalties for incitements of war and for publications encroaching on the rights of individuals. This proclamation may be cited as the trade competition and consumers protection proclamation no.
Definitions in this proclamation unless the context otherwise requires. This proclamation may be cited as the public \ servants pension amendment proclamation no. The ethiopian government should immediately drop all politically motivated charges against the defendants and amend the laws most pernicious provisions, which are being used to criminalize free. Ethiopias antiterrorism proclamation and the right to. Unhcr is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Pdf of proclamation to the family fill in the blanks document. The editorsin chief of nine private newspapers in ethiopia issued the following joint statement on the draft press law. This proclamation may be cited as the ethiopian electoral, political parties registration and elections code of conduct proclamation no. The us government should 1 encourage the ethiopian government to undertake specific reforms, including revision or repeal of the charities and societies proclamation and measures to ensure the independence of key institutions. In april 2003, article 19, global campaign for free expression issued a briefing note commenting on a draft ethiopian proclamation concerning press freedom. Ethiopia preparing new bill to curb hate speech addis. New antiterrorism proclamation jeopardizes freedom. The draft ethiopian proclamation to provide for the. Government and laws actively hinder free media development, professionalism is low, and mediaindustry activity is minimal.
Foreign nationals may acquire ethiopian nationality. Thousands of protesters, political party leaders, journalists and human rights defenders were arrested and detained following the disputed november 2005 elections in which the ruling ethiopian peoples revolutionary democratic front eprdf retained political power. Definitions in this proclamation, unless the context otherwise requires. The legal framework for freedom of expression in ethiopia. Given that ethiopias history of oppression and suppression of free speech it is understandable that international human rights organizations are expressing skepticism and concern about this recent proclamations unintended longterm effects. Wazema radio, mapping the ethiopian media, may 2018. The mass media and freedom of information proclamation, which purports to update and reform the first ever ethiopian press law of 1992, has been a source of controversy ever since its initiation in 2002. Broadcasting service proclamation no 5332007 ethiopia broadcasting service proclamation no 5332007.
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