The present report examines the 2011 alleged crackdown on freedom of expression by the Ethiopian government. The prolonged series of arrests and prosecutions, particularly of opposition party members, independent media and human rights defenders, indicates the systematic use of the law and the pretext of counter-terrorism by the Ethiopian government to silence critics. Whilst these groups have often been arrested and prosecuted in the past, the large numbers of arrests indicates an intensified crackdown on freedom of expression in 2011. Reference is made to the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
The present report examines the 2011 alleged crackdown on freedom of expression by the Ethiopian government. The prolonged series of arrests and prosecutions, particularly of opposition party members, independent media and human rights defenders, indicates the systematic use of the law and the pretext of counter-terrorism by the Ethiopian government to silence critics. Whilst these groups have often been arrested and prosecuted in the past, the large numbers of arrests indicates an intensified crackdown on freedom of expression in 2011. Reference is made to the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
