Post-2018 Reform on Institutional Independence of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Institutional reform has been a key component of Ethiopia‟s transitional period since the change in the political leadership in 2018. In this regard, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is identified as one of the institutions to undertake reform. The reform intended to address the issue of institutional independence for which the Commission was previously criticized.
In view of this, this research examines the impact of the institutional reform of the EHRC in securing the commission‟s independence. In doing so, this study used the minimum standards set out in the Paris Principles as a parameter. The study finds out that there are several legal and practical changes that have been made to help the EHRC achieve its institutional independence. One of the important changes that has been made in this regard and that also directly affects the institutional independence of the EHRC is amendment of the Establishment Proclamation of the Commission. Following this amendment, EHRC is allowed to adopt its own internal financial rules without the interference of the executive and this helps it to utilize its budget according to its priority. The amendment of the Establishment Proclamation also made changes, among others, in the appointment procedure of Commissioners whereby political party members are prohibited from being nominee to the Commission. Other practical improvements that play a role in the institutional independence of the EHRC include improved pluralistic composition of its staff and its collaboration with other stakeholders. Despite the positive impacts of these reforms which make the institutional independence of EHRC encouraging, the study also looks into areas demanding further consideration to achieve the complete institutional independence of the EHRC.