The Universal Periodic Review Mechanism: Trend, Challenge and Prospect for Enforcement of Human Rights In Ethiopia
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Date
2019-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The Universal Periodic Review is a mechanism for the review of the human rights situations of
all UN member countries. Though the Universal Periodic Review mechanism is a new
development of HRC, in its two previous cycles achieved 100% engagement of all states. It has
changed the landscape of human rights monitoring with its consensual approach. The principal
objective of the Universal Periodic Review is the improvement of human rights situation on the
ground. However, for the effectiveness of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism, the
existence of relevant domestic institutional and legal framework, government commitment,
effective participation of other stakeholders in all stages of UPR, and implementation of UPR
recommendations is vital.
Ethiopia has engaged in both of the previous UPR cycles. Other stakeholders also participated
by submitting their own alternative report and attending a consultation on the national report in
both of the previous UPR cycles. Hence, UPR brought some new development in the human
rights situation of Ethiopia. However, lack of well-established institutions and systems, lack of
appropriate statistical data regarding the situation of human rights in Ethiopia, the absence of
political commitment, and the principles adopted by Ethiopia for accepting recommendation are
problems in the UPR process. Moreover, lack of the culture of self-evaluation in the government
of Ethiopia, and lack of standing institutions, which prepare and submit national reports
challenged the effectiveness of UPR in Ethiopia. Additionally, 10% fund limitation of CSOs
proclamation no. 621/2009, governments’ bad perception towards domestic human rights CSOs,
limited access to government information and problems pertaining towards to CSOs like their
tendency of excuse and weak capacity are challenges entangled for the effectiveness of UPR
process in Ethiopia.
Nevertheless, there are new developments in a country, which serve for future effectiveness of
UPR in enforcing human rights in Ethiopia. In general, the study has concluded that there are
challenges from both the government and other stakeholder’s side, which hamper the
effectiveness of UPR in Ethiopia.
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Keywords
human rights,development of HRC