Human Rights in Political Programs: Evaluation of Ethiopian Political Parties Programs in light of International Human Rights Instruments
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Date
2016-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Political parties develop policy alternatives that demonstrate their commitment to solve societal
problems before they run for political power. Parties present their policy alternatives through
their political programs and election manifestos. So, these are means to provide meaningful
choice over polices for electorate and also hold politicians accountable if they fail to implement
their programs once elected. It is internationally accepted practice to incorporate human rights
issues on parties programs whether a country falls under the category of full democrat states,
flawed democrats or authoritarian regimes. As Ethiopia falls under authoritarian regime
according to international reports, it affects the programmaticity of political parties in the
country. This study has the main objective of evaluating Ethiopian political parties programs and
manifestos in light of international human rights standards. It examines how human rights issues
are included in Ethiopian political parties programs and manifestos; and look at the extent to
which Ethiopian political parties programs are informed by International Human Rights
documents. The research is a type of qualitative content analysis which begins with close reading
of political parties programs and manifestos and then assess human rights issues in these
documents in relation to internationally recognized human rights instruments. Human rights are
among the main issues that are covered by different Ethiopian political parties programs and
election manifestos. Though there are some deviations, more or less, Ethiopian political parties
programs comply with International Human Rights Instruments.
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Keywords
Election Manifestos, Human Rights, Political Programs