
The Ethiopian Herald Editorial has published an article called “Evil in the mask of human rights”. It is really giving an insight to what the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) signs of on. Since, this is the government press and the Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) own English newspaper. So, what this states is the memo’s of the government and the ideals of the state. Therefore, a text like this relevant. Just so you know what they believe and how they wants to operate.
It starts with this premise: “By its very nature human rights are universal or global issues. Every human being, society or international organizations up to the United Nations has responsibility for human rights’ protection. Countries of the world that are signatories of the UN declaration of human rights have equal responsibility in safeguarding human rights of people both throughout the world as well as in the respective nations” (Ethiopian Herald, 31.05.2022).
What is striking here is that they say the Human Rights are Universal or Global Issues. While they claim it became an issue or a responsibility, because of the United Nations or UN Declaration of Human Rights. Well, to be straight there been plenty of documents before that given citizens and persons rights. That going all the way back to the Magna Carta of 1215, English Bill of Rights (1689), French Declaration on the Rights of Man and Citizens (1789) and the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights (1791). In addition, there been others documents and declarations known to men that given people certain rights, but just to show what the humanity has done to give each other rights.
Human Rights are universal by the definition, because we are all human. Humans who has rights and laws to adhere too. That’s how we built our society, by giving an individual rights and also boundaries to it. As the state is setting the standard and regulations of it. In such a fashion, that the person has liberties and freedoms, but also has to comply with national laws. Therefore, it is a deeper thing than what the writer wrote here and it was done with a purpose.
As it continues: “However any attempt to manipulate countries under the guise of human rights is unacceptable. For decades Ethiopia has been active participant in global efforts of protecting human rights. For instance, it has stood in the forefront to deploy peacekeeping troops to troubled regions for several decades. It has also discharged its responsibilities capably in the protection of human rights of its people” (…) “What more do other international organizations and some countries want from the government or the country then? Some groups that work in the mask of human rights are trying to interfere in the domestic affairs of Ethiopia. What makes their attempt worst is that they are using the pretext of human rights to achieve their destructive ends. The experience so far shows that those who intervene in the sovereign and internal affairs of other countries with the pretext of human rights protection have caused state collapse in many regions of the world” (Ethiopian Herald, 31.05.2022).
Well, here is where the shady stuff is being said. Any state who has nothing to hide and don’t feel intimidated by international organizations or any UN organization for that matter. Can show their human rights records and accept the critic. Even fairly democratic nations has misgivings and has tools at their disposal that is questioned by the same agencies, which is speaking ill of the practices and acts of the FDRE at this current. Therefore, as the Universal laws and practices of Human Rights are accepted… it set a precedence and expectations of the signatories. That’s why it isn’t the whistleblowers, the reporters or the ones calling out the breaches of it fault. However, it is the government who is taking away the rights and the opportunities of the individuals in question.
That is why the Ethiopian government feels targeted, because it has breached and broken codes of assembly, allowing gatherings and blocking political parties- or civil society from organizing for that matter. The FDRE has used the authorities, arrested people without charges or warrants, it has extra-judicial killed unarmed civilians, tortured and detained people for a long time without a trial. There are so many cases, which shows how the FDRE has failed it’s citizens. Even going to war against regions and use “rule of law” as a reason to take everything away. Therefore, this justification to defend it’s records are just showing what the state is willing to do.
When they speak of “masking” and “destructive ends” by exposing or critiquing the misuse of power and the authority of the state. As it is a force which could be used for the common good, but instead is used to consolidate power and silence anyone who dissent. That’s why organizations and outsiders are calling the FDRE out. The writer is down-playing the Human Rights and the value of the individual in question. As the state should be allowed to do act like it does and outsiders shouldn’t questioned internal affairs. If the state wasn’t acting rogue or breaching international Human Rights law. It wouldn’t have a reason to call out the Prosperity Party or the FDRE at this very moment. However, it doesn’t respect the liberties or freedoms of the citizens. That’s why people are speaking out and they are also using the sources of Ethiopian organizations, which are exposing it on the regular too. Therefore, the FDRE shouldn’t feel butt-hurt that it’s called out, but instead look into it and allow the individual freedom to assemble, gather and not be afraid of massive crackdown. Because, that is what the state does and is known for.
The editorial ends with: “Therefore, it is much better to leave intact the sovereign rights of countries and their governments as well as to keep them accountable only as per the provisions of the international conventions which all the countries of the world are signatory. Any other attempt to manipulate the human rights cause as a pretext to execute a hidden agenda would only end up devastating the peaceful situation in a country and worsening the human rights of people there” (Ethiopian Herald, 31.05.2022).
It is just furthering it’s defence of international affairs and stating that inference is internal affairs are bad. A country is so sovereign, that the ones looking into FDRE should manipulate it. However, detaining people without trials cannot be manipulated. It can only be exposed and the use of force against unarmed civilians is only told and reported about. The use of army and militia’s under the “guise” of “rule of law” only shows what sinister motivation the state has. As it isn’t serving the public, but serving the purpose of the Federal Government, which only wants to consolidate all power within the realm. While not allowing the Regional States to run on their own or outside the “one-party” government of the Prosperity Party. Therefore, the ones calling this out aren’t interfering, but telling a truth, which we know the FDRE isn’t in favour of.
A state can be sovereign, but should also be able to be held accountable. That is if the state also wants to be transparent and be fair about it’s actions. Nevertheless, neither is the FDRE at this time. The state rather bury it’s enemies and hope no one is talking about it. That’s why Human Rights is despised by the authorities at the moment. Because, they know they are not caring about that and only cares about solidifying their roles.
It is not the people telling the stories and the organizations reporting the violations that is the problem. The problem is that the state orders, directs and conducts the affairs this way. As they are keeping citizens detained years on end, in prison for their profession, party or being an activist. Therefore, it is not worsening the situation, but only showing the horrific actions, which we know a ruthless government like the FDRE at the time prefers being kept a secret or under wraps. Because, this government only wants praise for planting trees and for eloquent speeches of his majesty, the Prime Minister Abiy. That’s what it wants… but instead it getting exposed for grim tales of horror, which it dislikes.
It shouldn’t shock anyone that we are here, but a government speaking ill of human rights and claiming sovereignty in this fashion. Can only be vile and attempt unjustified approach to it’s civilians. Since it fears the ones who tells the tales and show what it does. Peace.

















