ADDIS ABABA ( Halbeeg News) – Human Rights Watch had lauded the progress achieved by the Ethiopian government on preserving human rights since when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assumed the office.
In April last year, Abiy was sworn in as the first Prime minister of Ethiopia from the country’s ethnic community.
According to Statement by Human Rights Watch, his first few months in office saw many positive human rights reforms and a renewed sense of optimism following several years of protests and instability, along with decades of repressive authoritarian rule.
Thousands of political prisoners have been released, a peace agreement has been signed with neighbouring Eritrea and pledged to reform repressive laws.
Despite the positive reform, Human Rights Watch expresses concern over what followed the reforms in few months including growing tensions and conflicts, mainly along ethnic lines, have resulted in significant displacement and a breakdown in law and order across much of the country, threatening progress on critical reforms.
The group called on the government that Security forces responsible for using excessive force should be held to account, regardless of their rank or government position.
Prime Minister Abiy should publicly reaffirm that people have the right to protest peacefully.
The report also said appropriate training should be given for all security forces involved in crowd control, including regional and local security forces
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