Adequacy of the Prevailing Regulatory Framework Relating to Hate Speech on Social Media in Ethiopia
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Date
2020-12
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A.A.U
Abstract
Over the years, the abuse of social media, including the spread of different forms of hate speech,
has fomented ethnic conflicts and violence’s in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government has passed a
comprehensive law called Hate Speech and Disinformation Prevention and Suppression
Proclamation (HsDPSP) to combat hate speech both online and offline. This thesis seeks to
assess the adequacy of the Proclamation to regulate hate speech circulated through social media
in Ethiopia. This study has examined the legislation in light of international and regional human
rights instruments, as well as pertinent domestic laws. The study reveals that while the
government's measure to regulate hate speech is progressive, the hate speech legislation fails to
strike a proper balance between freedom of expression and hate speech, both in content and
procedure which may pose a risk of excessive regulation short of international standards.
Over the years, the abuse of social media, including the spread of different forms of hate speech, has fomented ethnic conflicts and violence’s in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government has passed a comprehensive law called Hate Speech and Disinformation Prevention and Suppression Proclamation (HsDPSP) to combat hate speech both online and offline. This thesis seeks to assess the adequacy of the Proclamation to regulate hate speech circulated through social media in Ethiopia. This study has examined the legislation in light of international and regional human rights instruments, as well as pertinent domestic laws. The study reveals that while the government's measure to regulate hate speech is progressive, the hate speech legislation fails to strike a proper balance between freedom of expression and hate speech, both in content and procedure which may pose a risk of excessive regulation short of international standards.
Over the years, the abuse of social media, including the spread of different forms of hate speech, has fomented ethnic conflicts and violence’s in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government has passed a comprehensive law called Hate Speech and Disinformation Prevention and Suppression Proclamation (HsDPSP) to combat hate speech both online and offline. This thesis seeks to assess the adequacy of the Proclamation to regulate hate speech circulated through social media in Ethiopia. This study has examined the legislation in light of international and regional human rights instruments, as well as pertinent domestic laws. The study reveals that while the government's measure to regulate hate speech is progressive, the hate speech legislation fails to strike a proper balance between freedom of expression and hate speech, both in content and procedure which may pose a risk of excessive regulation short of international standards.
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Keywords
Freedom of Expression, Hate Speech, Social Media, Hate Speech and Disinformation Prevention and Suppression Proclamation, Freedom of Expression, Hate Speech, Social Media, Hate Speech and Disinformation Prevention and Suppression Proclamation