Forward
The Government of Ethiopia has assiduously engaged in the promotion of democracy and good governance. It has designed and implemented mechanisms to instill good governance in all civil service institutions. In this connection, the country‟s Democratic System Building Policy affirms that individual rights and freedoms are inseparable from the rights of the people or groups. The policy emphasizes that all human rights are indivisible and complementary. The protection of civil and political rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia is tied to the promotion of economic and social rights and the former should not be given priority over the latter. The Citizen„s Charter has been adopted to enhance and improve the efficiency of the work of civil servants to encourage them to deliver effective results to the public. While aiming to ensure government accountability and transparency, the Charter also identifies challenges to the provision of such services to the public.
The Government of Ethiopia has pursued a rights based approach to development insofar as issues of human rights are related to the challenges of poverty, mass deprivation and underdevelopment. National policies and laws have been designed to bring about economic development and political transformation to change the lives of all Ethiopians. It is important to stress that the right to development is central to the Ethiopian Constitution, a fundamental aspect of which involves participation of the citizenry in development activities. It is the active participation of the people which has made possible various major national projects currently under construction. The realization of these development projects is consonant with the respect, protection and fulfillment of fundamental human rights and freedoms. This people-centered approach to development, which includes the adoption of the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP,) demonstrates the government„s commitment to human rights. It also shows the government„s effort to create equal opportunities for all Ethiopians.
This report highlights the policies, legislative and administrative measures taken to implement the recommendations of the African Commission. It was prepared by a national committee from six relevant ministries. The undertaking was coordinated by the International Legal Affairs Directorate-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs takes this opportunity to express its appreciation to the distinguished Commissioners of the African Commission on Human and Peoples‟ Rights.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Federal Democratic Republic Of Ethiopia
P.O. Box 393 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
