The Practice of Upholding Civil and Political Rights in Ethiopia and Botswana: Challenges and Prospects
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Date
2020-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The central focus of this study is to examine the practice of upholding civil and political rights in Ethiopia and Botswana. Specifically, the study attempts deal with the status of respecting, protecting, and promoting the right to political participation, freedom of opinion and expression and freedom of assembly and association rights. Moreover, the study asses the role of human rights institutions, civil society organizations, the governing party and finally the challenges faced by both Ethiopia and Botswana. To have a deep understanding, the study sheds light on the role of the state ideology of a democratic developmental state in both countries. In doing so, the study attempts to answer the following questions: what is the experience of Ethiopia and Botswana in upholding civil and political rights? What is the status of institutions in protecting and promoting civil and political rights in Ethiopia and Botswana? What are the challenges for adhering to the principles of international human rights principles? The study employed a qualitative methodological approach. To answer the stated research objectives and research questions, both primary and secondary sources of data collection were employed. Primary data were collected through in-depth interviews with key informants whereas secondary sources of data are gathered from books, journals, magazines, newspapers, institution reports, and both published and unpublished materials. After examining the practice of upholding civil and political rights in Ethiopia and Botswana through key informants, assessing various institutional reports, the study has come up with the following findings: even though Ethiopia registers better in terms of economic growth under the guise of a state ideology of democratic developmental state, serious human rights violations were also committed. While Botswana has been achieved a commendable economic development and a good human rights record even though with some shortcomings. Moreover, institutions responsible for protecting and promoting civil and political rights could not execute their responsibilities in both countries. The governing parties in both countries could not respect, protect and promote civil and political rights. For the better practice of these rights, several challenges faced both countries that manifest in various aspects. Finally, the study concludes that serious human rights violations have been committed in Ethiopia as compared with that of Botswana and hence Ethiopia can take a lesson from Botswana in respecting, protecting and promoting civil and political rights and in employing it to attain economic development.
Keywords: Practice, Upholding, Human Rights, Human Rights violations, International Human Rights System, Developmental State, EPRDF, BDP, Ethiopia, Botswana
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Keywords
Practice, Upholding, Human Rights, Human Rights violations, International Human Rights System, Developmental State, EPRDF, BDP, Ethiopia, Botswana