UN Special Rapporteur Concludes Ethiopia Visit

Addis Ababa, December 11, 2019 (FBC) – A United Nations delegation led by David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression concluded its week-long visit to Ethiopia.

During the visit, the delegation met with public and private institutions to evaluate situations of freedom of opinion and expression as well as exchanged views with the Attorney General and other pertinent bodies.

At the end, the delegation issued a statement on key findings of the visit.

In the statement, the delegation appreciated the bold measures and comprehensive political and socio-economic reforms underway in the country.

The statement called on the world community to support the reforms with robust diplomatic and financial contributions.

Meanwhile, the delegation described internet access in Ethiopia, a vital tool to expand access to information, as low.

“The country’s 15% internet penetration and 44% mobile penetration rates, according to the most recently available information, are comparatively low,” it said.

“Deepening internet penetration will be essential both for freedom of expression and economic development.”

The statement commended the Ministry of Innovation and Technology’s multi-sectoral approach to empower the country’s technological advancement and connectivity, including increasing mobile penetration to 90% and household internet access to over 80% within five years.

“The Ministry’s leadership described a well-developed vision for extending internet access across the country, a vision that deserves broad donor support and Government prioritization,” it said.

Appreciating Government’s effort to amend the previous anti-terrorism law, the statement called for urgent action to repeal the law and replace it with a new law that clearly and narrowly defines the crime of terrorism.