Life in Amhara Region Returning to Normalcy, Rights Commission Report Lopsided

Addis Ababa ,November 2/2023(ENA)- Life in the Amhara region is returning to normalcy as a result of the effective law enforcement measures taken by the government and the report released by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on the situation in the region lopsided, Government Communication Service Minister Legesse Tulu said. 

Briefing the media today, he stated that the government has carried out law enforcement activities in the Amhara region so that citizens can return to their normal lives and their basic rights are better protected.

The Amhara Regional State had requested support of the federal government, noting that illegal forces were engaged in destabilizing efforts causing large-scale humanitarian, social and economic losses.

As a result, peace in the region was seriously disrupted and the socio-economic activities as well as public safety destroyed, threatening the constitutional order.

Therefore, the situation required declaration of state of emergency and appropriate measures were taken to ensure peace and safety of the public.

The declaration of emergency was necessary to reverse the danger posed on basic human rights in the region by illegal militants, the minister noted, adding that the lack of favorable conditions to enforce the rights of citizens as well as ensure law and order of the region necessitated taking measures.

Given this, the report released by the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on the situation in the Amhara region lacks balance and is destructive, Legesse said.

The State of Emergency Inquiry Board, which is empowered by the Constitution to monitor the state of emergency, has been fully discharging its responsibilities.

The EHRC report does not take into account the government's efforts, and as a result lacks balance.

The minister noted that the government was able to avert the collapse of the constitutional system by declaring a state of emergency in the Amhara region and taking actions to ensure the rule of law.

According to the evaluation of State of Emergency Central Command Post, the extremist forces have suffered huge human and material losses due to the measures taken by the security forces in the  region.

Currently, peace is restored in most of the region and the security force has a strong base in all areas of the regional state. 

Further commenting on the EHRC report, Legesse said, “The government is making utmost efforts to build independent institutions in Ethiopia, and one example of this is the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (established in July 2000).”  

Hence, such human rights institutions should be free and independent not just from the executive bodies but also from foreigners and other internal destructive groups as well.

The minister expressed his belief that the commission will make corrections to the report, and he stressed that all the reports submitted by such institutions should not be assumed as independent and neutral.