The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged Ethiopian authorities to implement crucial recommendations to enhance press freedom and ensure journalists’ safety on Monday.

In the report, the CPJ concludes five years of research and details significant challenges faced by media professionals in Ethiopia, including arbitrary arrests, physical attacks, and restrictive legal measures. It details instances of physical attacks on media personnel, including the unsolved death of two journalists, Dawit Kebede Araya and Sisay Fida.

The CPJ’s submission outlines a pattern of arbitrary detentions and legal threats against journalists, particularly during the Tigray civil conflict from 2020 to 2022. According to the report, dozens of journalists were detained, often without formal charges or access to legal counsel. Many were held in unofficial detention sites, such as the Awash Arba military camp, where detainees reported harsh conditions and limited access to family or legal representation.

The report also highlights concerns over Ethiopia’s legal framework, particularly regarding the Media Proclamation and anti-terrorism laws. While Ethiopia has introduced reforms, the CPJ notes that these laws are still used to target journalists, restrict access to information, and shut down media outlets. The report cites cases where foreign journalists were expelled, and local media organizations were suspended under vague accusations related to national security or hate speech.

Accordingly, the group concludes that challenges remain in creating an environment where journalists can operate freely despite reforms. CPJ’s statement called for Ethiopian authorities to consider the recommendations presented during the UN review and take concrete steps to safeguard press freedom.

The issues highlighted by CPJ resonate with broader principles of the rule of law, which encompass protecting individual rights and assuring transparent legal processes. Ethiopia’s constitution enshrines these principles, guaranteeing free speech, fair trials, and the right to privacy. The CPJ underscores that the country is a signatory to international human rights agreements, such as the African Charter on Human Rights. Despite these commitments, the organization argues that the legal environment for the media remains repressive, limiting journalists’ ability to report freely on issues of public interest.

The report comes ahead of Ethiopia’s review by the United Nations as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, which examines the human rights practices of all UN member states. The  UN’s UPR process allows member states and NGOs to assess human rights practices and offer recommendations for improvement.

The Universal Periodic Review of Ethiopia is scheduled for November 12, 2024.